Losing Streak Continues as Lions Fall Flat 42-10

Posted by Stephen Rhodes on December 2nd, 2007 filed in Game Stories

The Lions, who a month ago, were very much a playoff contender, have reverted to their old habit - losing. Minnesota, on the other hand, have surged to the point that they are all of a sudden playoff contenders themselves. Minnesota scored on their first six possessions to overwhelm the Lions 42-10 at Minneapolis.

To illustrate how badly the Lions were punked by the Vikings, the Lions were assessed for 3 personal foul penalties and rushed for only 23 yards. Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson set up the Viking’s first score by ripping a 28-yard run which would set up a Chester Taylor touchdown run; Peterson would rush for a TD himself, giving the Vikings a 14-3 lead early 2nd quarter. Detroit came back with a 2-yard TD pass from quarterback Jon Kitna to tight end Casey FitzSimmons to narrow it to 14-10.

Special teams proved key, as well as Vikings rookie wide receiver-kick returner Aundrae Allison would return the ensuing kickoff 103 yards for a TD in what would be a huge 2nd quarter for Minnesota. Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson threw TD passes to WR’s Simeon Rice and Bobby Wade, giving Minnesota a huge 35-10 lead at halftime. Peterson would finish the Lions for good with a 13-yard TD run, capping off the game’s scoring.

Minnesota’s Jackson had one of his better efforts, going 18-of-24 for 204 yards, with 2 TD’s and 1 INT. Peterson led all Viking rushers with 116 yards in rushing yardage on only 15 carries and 2 TD’s; Chester Taylor added 14 carries for 70 yards and a rushing TD. Wade and Rice scored a receiving TD each. Detroit’s Jon Kitna had a fair game, going 27-of-36 for 250 yards, with a TD and INT. The Lions’ running game was squashed, with T.J. Duckett rushing for only 22 yards. Roy Williams led all Lions receivers with 5 receptions for 85 yards. Detroit, losers of 4 straight, go to Dallas to take on the Dallas Cowboys, also on Sunday.