• Article by: Chris Miller
• September 9, 2007 - 9:05 PM

GAME BALLS

Adrian Peterson, Vikings: Seems he fell to the perfect team in the draft. Had 103 rushing yards in debut, and turned a dump pass into a 60-yard TD.

E.J. Henderson, Vikings: Moved to middle linebacker this season and was an opening-day force with seven unassisted tackles, including two sacks.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Midway through the fourth quarter.

Third-and-5 for the Vikings at the Min 40

The situation: The Vikings had a 10-3 lead.

The play: Tarvaris Jackson threw a swing pass to Adrian Peterson, who bobbled it, then wrapped it up and raced 60 yards for a touchdown.

The result: The play was the only offensive touchdown of the day; in fact, neither team had a red-zone possesion.

JACKSON'S ACTIONS

Play: Nothing spectacular. A couple of overthrows, an interception on a tip. Wasn't sacked, didn't have happy feet. Grade: Wade

Leadership: Ran the conservative game plan to a "T," despite problems hearing plays in helmet's wireless receiver. Grade: Fran

Stats: When Peterson turned a short pass into a 60-yard TD, Jackson's QB rating hopped to 75.1. Grade: Wade

Overall: The Vikings certainly have to develop a downfield passing game. They got away without one Sunday. Grade: Wade

TOUCHDOWN DANCES

1 Offense

2 Defense

Kevin Williams and Antoine Winfield returned picks for TDs, and the DEFENSE takes the lead!

TWO-BACK TRACKER

The plan to have Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson share the workload took a hit when Taylor left because of a first-quarter hip injury. Adrian seemed, uh, OK with it.

NEXT WEEK

Vikings at Detroit

3:05 p.m. Sunday

Ford Field

About the Lions

Detroit blew a 17-0 lead Sunday at Oakland but rallied for a 36-21 victory. Jon Kitna passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns for the Lions, and new tailback Tatum Bell ran for 87 yards and a score.

Dangerous player

Calvin Johnson, above, the second player taken in the draft, had six catches for 70 yards and a touchdown in his debut for the Lions.