Instant Replay: Vikings 26, Detroit 16
September 21, 2015 at 3:00AM
The Vikings' victory came on the heels of an opening loss in San Francisco that still bugs coach Mike Zimmer: "It was very uncharacteristic last week. I'm still wondering why we played like we did. Coach [Bill] Parcells called me last week and said, 'Hey Mike, it's human nature. Everybody's been talking about how good you are and how bad they were and all that kind of stuff.' You know, we can't take the cheese this week either because people will be saying nice things about us this week."
MANO-A-MANO
Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes vs. Lions WR Calvin Johnson
WHO WON?
Johnson was targeted 17 times, caught 10 and was held to 83 yards. Rhodes gets the edge just by limiting Johnson, who is one of the NFL's best wideouts.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Flooded zone
The Vikings had second-and-goal from the Detroit 5 on their first drive. TE Kyle Rudolph (82) and WR Jarius Wright were split right. Detroit's James Ihedigbo (32) lined up against Rudolph but rushed in to cover RB Adrian Peterson (28). Rudolph went to the back of the end zone, where QB Teddy Bridgewater (5) found him for the TD.
THE QUOTE
"I love everything about him, everything about this kid."
— Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on Bridgewater
about the writer
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
