MINNEAPOLIS (WWJ/AP) – The Detroit Lions stage a huge comeback and beat the Minnesota Vikings in overtime 26-23 on Sunday. The Lions started the game much the same way they had in previous years in Minnesota.

As heard on 97.1 The Ticket – Detroit’s sluggish start had them down by 20 points entering the second half.

Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes to rally the Lions from the 20-0 halftime deficit, and Jason Hanson kicked a 32-yard field goal in overtime that lifted Detroit to victory.

Calvin Johnson had seven catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns for the Lions, who are 3-0 for the first time since 1980. They won in the Metrodome for the first time since 1997, snapping a 13-game skid.

Adrian Peterson rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings (0-3), who gave away a big halftime lead for the third week in a row. Peterson managed just 5 yards rushing in the second half.

Stafford finished with 378 yards passing, and his 40-yard completion to Johnson in overtime set up Hanson’s winning kick.

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(Copyright 2011 WWJ Newsradio 950. All Rights Reserved.)   (Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin returned to practice on Friday and is listed as probable for the game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Harvin missed practice on Thursday because of an illness. But Harvin and the Vikings said it was not related to migraine headaches that have caused him to miss time in the past.

“Man, it was a stomach ache,” Harvin said after practice on Friday, quickly brushing aside any concerns about a migraine resurfacing. “I’m fine, fine, fine.”

Harvin has played in just over 50 per cent of the snaps through the first two weeks, and offensive co-ordinator Bill Musgrave said they’d like to get him more action against the Lions (2-0) on Sunday. Coach Leslie Frazier said Harvin looked ready in his return to practice on Friday and doesn’t expect there to be any limitations during the game.

“I thought he looked pretty good,” Frazier said. “He went through everything in practice, moved around pretty good and should be fine for Sunday.”

Cornerback Chris Cook is listed as questionable with a groin injury. He practised all week long and Frazier said they will need the six-foot-two Cook to play against Lions receiver Calvin Johnson.

“When we looked at our division, that was one of the things that we looked at, trying to match up at times,” Frazier said of drafting Cook in the second round last year. “Having two big corners with Cedric (Griffin) and Chris, we thought that would help us. This is one of those games where we want it to pay off.”

Linebacker E.J. Henderson (knee) was the only other player limited in practice on Friday, but Frazier expects him to be on the field against the Lions, who are favoured in a visit to Minnesota (0-2) for the first time since 1981.

The Vikings also are getting defensive tackle Kevin Williams back from a two-game suspension. Williams is also dealing with a painful case of plantar fasciitis in his left foot that he said he expects to be an issue all season long. But Frazier said Williams looked good in practice this week and the coach is more concerned with his conditioning than the pain in his foot.

“That’s something we’ll have to help him with from a rep standpoint and monitoring his reps,” Frazier said. “As far as moving around, he’s moving around pretty good. The conditioning will probably be a thing that we will have to look out for.”

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP)—Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin(notes) returned
to practice on Friday and is listed as probable for the game against the Detroit
Lions on Sunday.

Harvin missed practice on Thursday because of an illness. But Harvin and the
Vikings said it was not related to migraine headaches that have caused him to
miss time in the past.

“Man, it was a stomach ache,” Harvin said after practice on Friday,
quickly brushing aside any concerns about a migraine resurfacing. “I’m fine,
fine, fine.”

Harvin has played in just over 50 percent of the snaps through the first two
weeks, and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said they’d like to get him more
action against the Lions (2-0) on Sunday. Coach Leslie Frazier said Harvin
looked ready in his return to practice on Friday and doesn’t expect there to be
any limitations during the game.

“I thought he looked pretty good,” Frazier said. “He went through
everything in practice, moved around pretty good and should be fine for
Sunday.”

Cornerback Chris Cook(notes) is listed as questionable with a groin injury. He
practiced all week long and Frazier said they will need the 6-foot-2 Cook to
play against Lions receiver Calvin Johnson(notes).

“When we looked at our division, that was one of the things that we looked
at, trying to match up at times,” Frazier said of drafting Cook in the second
round last year. “Having two big corners with Cedric (Griffin) and Chris, we
thought that would help us. This is one of those games where we want it to pay
off.”

Linebacker E.J. Henderson(notes) (knee) was the only other player limited in
practice on Friday, but Frazier expects him to be on the field against the
Lions, who are favored in a visit to Minnesota (0-2) for the first time since
1981.

The Vikings also are getting defensive tackle Kevin Williams(notes) back from a
two-game suspension. Williams is also dealing with a painful case of plantar
fasciitis in his left foot that he said he expects to be an issue all season
long. But Frazier said Williams looked good in practice this week and the coach
is more concerned with his conditioning than the pain in his foot.

“That’s something we’ll have to help him with from a rep standpoint and
monitoring his reps,” Frazier said. “As far as moving around, he’s moving
around pretty good. The conditioning will probably be a thing that we will have
to look out for.”

Follow Jon Krawczynski on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/APkrawczynski

By Paula Pasche
For The Macomb Daily

ALLEN PARK —Donovan McNabb shows no signs of panic.

His Minnesota Vikings are 0-2. They’ve given up big first-half leads, fallen apart in the second half of both losses. He’s yet to find a rhythm in the offense which is new to him. So far he’s thrown one touchdown and one interception.

So, how’s life in Minnesota, Donovan?

“Great, outstanding,’’ McNabb said in a conference call on Wednesday.

Sounds a little odd, but the veteran quarterback has found success all these years playing with the right mindset and apparently panic is not part of the equation.

And right now, as the Vikings prepare to host the 2-0 Detroit Lions on Sunday, McNabb is looking forward instead of reflecting on the opening losses to San Diego and Tampa Bay.

“Can’t do anything about that at this particular point. Focus on our next opponent. Obviously it’s the Detroit Lions, tough (task) ahead of us and, at this particular point, that’s where our mind is set for,’’ McNabb said.

Perhaps one of his strengths is his calmness and ability to erase the past.

Last season he came to Ford Field with the Washington Redskins and did not have a good day. He went 17 of 30 for 210 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 37-25 loss to the Lions.

“To reflect on it at this point is not in my mind. To be honest, I have moved on. The whole year was enough for me. The whole deal about it is you move on and look forward to your next opportunity and obviously this is my next move and I look forward to taking full advantage of it,’’ McNabb said. Continued…

Although he doesn’t use it as an excuse, McNabb and his teammates would have benefited from offseason work which they didn’t have because of the NFL lockout.

The Vikings’ vertical passing game has yet to materialize, but that doesn’t seem to bother McNabb either.

It’s early, he said.

“Some people have shown their hand, other teams are still trying to get their feet under them with new players as well as new coaches. We have taken shots downfield — definitely in the last game,’’ McNabb said. “Due to coverage sometimes you have to check the ball down and make a play. As this thing continues on, this offense will open up more and more, but we are excited about what we have been able to do and how we improved and we can only get better.”

Perhaps what he should be worried about — even though he doesn’t seem so inclined — are the second-half collapses in each of the first two games.

In the opener at San Diego, the Vikings were up 17-7 at the half, but were shut out in the second half and allowed the Chargers to score 17 more. McNabb had just 39 passing yards that game.

Last Sunday at home to Tampa, the Vikings were up 17-0 at the half. They added just a field goal in the second half while allowing the Bucs to score 24. McNabb was 18 of 30 for 228 yards with no touchdowns.

In the second halves of both of those games the Vikings have converted just one third down and that was in the first game. They had no third-down conversions in the second half last Sunday.

At the same time the Vikings’ defense has allowed eight third-down conversions in those halves.

“He had a good game for us last week; put together some good drives for our football team. The lack of an offseason probably didn’t help him a lot, but he is a veteran guy who understands the NFL and what has to happen to be successful,’’ Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. “It was good to see him bounce back last week and have a good game.” Continued…

By Paula Pasche
For The Macomb Daily

ALLEN PARK —Donovan McNabb shows no signs of panic.

His Minnesota Vikings are 0-2. They’ve given up big first-half leads, fallen apart in the second half of both losses. He’s yet to find a rhythm in the offense which is new to him. So far he’s thrown one touchdown and one interception.

So, how’s life in Minnesota, Donovan?

“Great, outstanding,’’ McNabb said in a conference call on Wednesday.

Sounds a little odd, but the veteran quarterback has found success all these years playing with the right mindset and apparently panic is not part of the equation.

And right now, as the Vikings prepare to host the 2-0 Detroit Lions on Sunday, McNabb is looking forward instead of reflecting on the opening losses to San Diego and Tampa Bay.

“Can’t do anything about that at this particular point. Focus on our next opponent. Obviously it’s the Detroit Lions, tough (task) ahead of us and, at this particular point, that’s where our mind is set for,’’ McNabb said.

Perhaps one of his strengths is his calmness and ability to erase the past.

Last season he came to Ford Field with the Washington Redskins and did not have a good day. He went 17 of 30 for 210 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 37-25 loss to the Lions.

“To reflect on it at this point is not in my mind. To be honest, I have moved on. The whole year was enough for me. The whole deal about it is you move on and look forward to your next opportunity and obviously this is my next move and I look forward to taking full advantage of it,’’ McNabb said.

Although he doesn’t use it as an excuse, McNabb and his teammates would have benefited from offseason work which they didn’t have because of the NFL lockout.

The Vikings’ vertical passing game has yet to materialize, but that doesn’t seem to bother McNabb either.

It’s early, he said.

“Some people have shown their hand, other teams are still trying to get their feet under them with new players as well as new coaches. We have taken shots downfield — definitely in the last game,’’ McNabb said. “Due to coverage sometimes you have to check the ball down and make a play. As this thing continues on, this offense will open up more and more, but we are excited about what we have been able to do and how we improved and we can only get better.”

Perhaps what he should be worried about — even though he doesn’t seem so inclined — are the second-half collapses in each of the first two games.

In the opener at San Diego, the Vikings were up 17-7 at the half, but were shut out in the second half and allowed the Chargers to score 17 more. McNabb had just 39 passing yards that game.

Last Sunday at home to Tampa, the Vikings were up 17-0 at the half. They added just a field goal in the second half while allowing the Bucs to score 24. McNabb was 18 of 30 for 228 yards with no touchdowns.

In the second halves of both of those games the Vikings have converted just one third down and that was in the first game. They had no third-down conversions in the second half last Sunday.

At the same time the Vikings’ defense has allowed eight third-down conversions in those halves.

“He had a good game for us last week; put together some good drives for our football team. The lack of an offseason probably didn’t help him a lot, but he is a veteran guy who understands the NFL and what has to happen to be successful,’’ Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. “It was good to see him bounce back last week and have a good game.”

The Vikings’ numbers are ugly, the losses regrettable.

Still McNabb remains encouraged and seems to like the Vikings’ chances against the Lions who have not won in Minnesota since 1997.

“The chemistry is where we need it to be. Now it is just get out and execute when we need it. I feel like we have the guys to be able to do that,’’ McNabb said.

He said it’s not about the Lions, it’s really about the Vikings and how they can overcome an 0-2 start.

“That is kind of the attitude in which we are going in with. We know they have been doing some really good things over there on both sides of the ball but we need to take advantage of the opportunities that will be given to us all throughout the game and then go from there,’’ McNabb said.

Paula Pasche covers the Lions. Follow her on Twitter @PaulaPasche.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings safety Tyrell Johnson is apologizing a day after he was arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired.

Johnson was arrested early Tuesday and authorities said his blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent, above the state’s legal limit of 0.08 percent.

“I’m very blessed and fortunate that no one got hurt because of my mistake and selfishness,” he said.

Johnson said he was “genuinely sorry” for his actions. The team has a car service that players can call if they’ve been out on the town and are too impaired to drive, and Johnson said he regretted not making the call to use it or getting a hotel room.

“Just for advice to everybody else, whoever gets in that situation, it’s not worth it,” Johnson said. “You’ve got to make that call if you can’t drive home. Even if you think you’re good, you’re not good.”

Coach Leslie Frazier said Johnson will be in uniform for the game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday and that any discipline would be handled internally.

“It’s always disappointing when guys fall short in different areas, but I know things are going to happen,” Frazier said. “It does happen.”

Johnson is splitting time with Jamarca Sanford at strong safety. Sanford has started the first two games of the season, but Johnson has rotated in often and has been on the field more for passing downs, especially late in games.

Frazier said this is the first time he’s had any issues with Johnson, who was a second-round draft choice in 2008.

“Tyrell has been great,” Frazier said. “Really haven’t had any issues with him off the field or even on the field.”

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

In last week’s NFL Power Rankings, the folks at the SB Nation mothership placed the Minnesota Vikings as the second-worst team in the National Football League, despite a very hard-fought loss on the road in San Diego against the Chargers. Now, in their Week 3 Power Rankings, though the Vikings loss another tough game, they really couldn’t move the Vikings down to #32. . .not with the Kansas City Chiefs hanging around. . .so they decided to move the Vikings up one spot to number 30 instead.

What did they say about the Vikings this week?

So the Donovan McNabb in Minnesota story isn’t looking so great right now. This team needs to be better with a player like AP there.

To be fair, I don’t think we can put Sunday’s loss at the feet of Donovan McNabb. . .he played significantly better than he did in the opener, that’s for sure. But yes, Adrian Peterson’s talents are being wasted thus far, which is never a good thing to see. Hopefully this team can start getting it into gear, although they face a tough test this Sunday when the Detroit Lions come to town.

By Christopher Gates

– Managing Editor

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Sep 16, 2011 – Two teams that got off to 0-1 starts to their 2011 NFL seasons will meet on Sunday afternoon at the Metrodome, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will come to town to battle the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota appeared to have a very good San Diego Chargers team on the ropes in their season opener, paced by a 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Percy Harvin that highlighted a great first half for the Vikings. Minnesota intercepted Philip Rivers twice, and basically held the Chargers in check en route to a 17-7 halftime lead. However, the Minnesota offense fell apart in the second half, leaving the defense on the field far too long and, eventually, causing them to wear out. San Diego scored 17 unanswered points in the second half, and took the game away from Minnesota with a 24-17 victory.

Tampa Bay started their season off with a loss at home to the Detroit Lions. Promising young quarterback Josh Freeman threw for 245 yards and a touchdown, but the Lions held the Buccaneers to just 56 yards on 16 carries. Freeman was actually the leading rusher for Tampa Bay, as running back LeGarrette Blount was held to 15 yards on five carries. The Buccaneers got an interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Aqib Talib, but did not register a sack against a suspect Detroit offensive line, and allowed Matthew Stafford to throw for 305 yards and three touchdowns.

No team can really “afford to lose” at any point in an NFL season, but this loss would be much more devastating for the Vikings than it would be for Tampa Bay. In Tampa’s case, every team in the NFC South lost their opener, so falling to 0-2 would still allow them to be a part of the division race. Minnesota, however, was the only team in the NFC North to suffer a loss in the first week of the season, and falling to 0-2 would be a huge problem for them in the race for a division title and a playoff berth.

Kickoff for this one is scheduled for noon Central time. We will have full coverage of all of the proceedings for you right here on SB Nation Minnesota.

Read More: vikings football, minnesota vikings football, buccaneers football, tampa bay buccaneers football, buccaneers at vikings, buccaneers vs vikings, vikings buccaneers preview, vikings buccaneers updates, vikings buccaneers score, vikings buccaneers recap, Philip Rivers (QB – SDC), Aqib Talib (CB – TAM), Matthew Stafford (QB – DET), Josh Freeman (QB – TAM), Percy Harvin (WR – MIN), LeGarrette Blount (RB – TAM), Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings, Sep 18, 2011 12:00 PM CDT

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Vikings quarterback Joe Webb on the sidelines as the Minnesota Vikings played the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., on January 2, 2011.Vikings lost 20-13.
(Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)
(Ben Garvin)

Vikings quarterback Joe Webb has been working on his passing with retired teammate Brett Favre the past few weeks in Hattiesburg, Miss., Webb told the University of Alabama-Birmingham athletics website.

“It’s great to have a person like that as my contact,” said Webb, who was drafted in the sixth round from UAB in 2010. “He can still sling it.”

Webb was the Vikings’ third-string quarterback until Favre and then Tarvaris Jackson were injured. The Vikings drafted Christian Ponder in the first round this year, as Favre has proclaimed that this time he really is retired.

Webb worked out at the IMG Academy in Florida before going to see Favre, according to the UAB website.