MINNEAPOLIS -- For the better part of the Vikings' game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the Minnesota defense played like the stifling unit it has been through most of the season. The Vikings held the Lions to 224 yards in regulation, forced three consecutive three-and-outs in the third quarter and created the only turnover of the day when Matthew Stafford threw an interception under pressure.
But nine of the Lions' points in a 22-16 overtime victory came from plays that were either brilliantly schemed or immaculately executed to turn two of the Vikings' patented defensive tricks against them.