DETROIT – The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions took turns blowing chances to win the game.
In the end, Jason Hanson’s 37-yard field goal in overtime lifted Detroit to a 20-17 victory over Minnesota on Sunday and ended a 10-game losing streak in the series.
The Lions and Vikings combined for nine turnovers in regulation – and two missed field goals in the final 35 seconds.
The 10th turnover – Brooks Bollinger’s fumbled snap – gave Detroit the ball at the 50. Jon Kitna, who missed about two quarters after being shaken up, ran the ball twice to pick up a key first down, and Brian Calhoun’s 17-yard run set up Hanson’s kick.
Detroit (2-0) has won its first two games for the first time in three years, when the Lions finished 6-10 – their best record since Matt Millen was given control of the franchise in 2001.
The Vikings (1-1) had plenty of chances to start 2-0 for the second straight year, but lost many of the opportunities as Tarvaris Jackson tied a team record with four interceptions.
AP-ES-09-16-07 1937EDT
Comments are no longer available on this story