DETROIT - The Vikings scored one offensive touchdown in Sunday's 20-17 overtime loss to Detroit, and they used a dose of chicanery to get that one.
The Lions were leading 7-0 with 10 minutes left in the second quarter. On third-and-8 from the Lions 41, Robert Ferguson did a turn 10 yards downfield, and quarterback Tarvaris Jackson threw a low ball.
The official ruled a catch and marked it as a first down. Several Lions signaled to the officials and to their bench that the throw had skipped off the turf. The Lions waited to see a replay to decide if they should challenge the call. Vikings coach Brad Childress ordered Jackson to rush to the line and spike the ball.
A replay showed the throw clearly hit the turf, and Detroit coach Rod Marinelli threw a challenge flag. Too late, Coach. The Vikings already had run the next play, meaning there could not be a challenge.
The Vikings -- rather than being forced to punt from midfield -- continued to drive for a touchdown.
"We work on it," Childress said. "It's a call that we talk about. I'm not going to tell you what it is."
The reception was Ferguson's first as a Viking. Asked if it was really a catch, he said: "No, no, no -- without a doubt [the ball hit the ground]. We had a similar play in the preseason against Seattle. Bobby Wade had one that it looked like he caught but he didn't. We learned from that. Tarvaris now calls out, 'Mayday, mayday,' and we get to the line. We snapped the ball before they threw the red flag."
Taylor sits
Running back Chester Taylor was inactive because of a hip injury suffered in the season opener. Adrian Peterson started in his place, carried the ball 20 times for 66 yards and was on the field for more than 45 snaps. Taylor attempted to do some work on the field before the game, but the decision did not come as a surprise. He had practiced sparingly during the week.
It marks the second consecutive year he missed a game in his hometown. Last December, he sat out at Ford Field because of bruised ribs. Taylor said he had about 30 family members and friends at the game.
The decision also enabled running back Mewelde Moore to make his debut. He was a surprise inactive last week but carried the ball six times Sunday for 60 yards and caught four passes for 36 yards.
Also inactive for the Vikings were fullback Tony Richardson (bruised forearm), safety Mike Doss (calf), tight end Garrett Mills, tackle Chase Johnson, defensive tackle Fred Evans and defensive end Erasmus James. Ferguson made his regular-season debut as a Viking after sitting out the opener because of an ankle injury.
Injury report
Receiver Troy Williamson suffered a hamstring spasm returning the opening kickoff of the second half and did not return. Childress said it was a precautionary move.
Jackson tweaked a groin injury in overtime and came out. The injury is not believed to be serious, but he will be evaluated today.
Safeties Darren Sharper and Dwight Smith also missed time in the second half because of cramping. Sharper had to go to the locker room to get an IV. Veteran Tank Williams served as the replacement for both players. Right guard Artis Hicks left briefly in the fourth quarter because of a leg injury but was able to return.
Early in the game, Peterson went to the bench to get his ankle taped, but Childress said it wasn't an issue. "I just saw a little hitch in his gait, but whatever he did he battled through," Childress said. "I saw it early. I didn't see it late."
Griffin wants rematch
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