Thursday 24 November 2016 22:19, UK
Matt Prater kicked a 40-yard field goal in the final seconds to give the Detroit Lions a 16-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings. It was Darius Slay's interception that set up the field goal, giving Detroit their seventh fourth quarter comeback win this season.
In 140 Characters...
Darius Slay's interception sets up Matt Prater for a last-minute field goal win. The Lions remain top of the division after another last-gasp win.
MVP
It's not often the kicker gets the credit he deserves, but Prater held his nerve after a weekend when a record number of extra points were missed all over the league. Prater scored twice in the final two minutes, handing Detroit the NFC North lead.
Game-changer
With less than 30 seconds to go and all square at 13-13, Lions cornerback Slay picked off Sam Bradford and returned the ball to the Vikings 20 yard line. The play set up Prater for a 40-yard kick to steal the win.
Stat of the night
1 - There was just one turnover throughout the entire game. It just so happened to come in the last 30 seconds and give Detroit a Thanksgiving day home win.
The game
The Lions scored on their opening drive, holding onto the ball for over seven minutes. Matthew Stafford used three different receivers as Detroit made a series of short yardage gains to take the team within two yards of the end zone, before Anquan Boldin found space to complete the 75-yard touchdown play.
However, the Vikings responded with a score of their own. It looked as though quarterback Bradford may have fumbled, but the officials ruled the play as incomplete. He then threw an interception which Glover Quin ran for 71 yards, but Slay was judged to have caused pass interference, and Minnesota retained the ball once more.
They took advantage of the third chance, Matt Asiata bursting through the defensive line to level the score with a five-yard touchdown run.
The Lions added a 29-yard field goal halfway through the second quarter to take a 10-7 lead into half-time, but it was a marked improvement from Minnesota in the second half. Strong defensive play saw Detroit's opportunities reduced as Stafford was sacked twice.
The Vikings took the lead with two field goals - one in the third quarter and one to start the fourth, but it would be Detroit who took the Thanksgiving day spoils.
Lions kicker Prater levelled the tie inside the two minute warning, with a 48 yard field goal, before Bradford threw the costly interception to Slay, turning possession over to Detroit who wound down the clock, before Prater converted from 40 yards.
The result gives Detroit sole lead of the NFC North, moving to 7-4 while the Vikings remain second with a 6-5 record. It also means that the Lions sweep Minnesota this season, having beaten them in overtime just three weeks ago.
