Instant Replay: Vikings 26, Detroit 16

September 21, 2015 at 3:00AM
This is a photo of Xavier Rhodes of the Minnesota Vikings NFL football team. This image reflects the Minnesota Vikings active roster as of Monday, July 6, 2015. (AP Photo) ORG XMIT: NFLHS15
Rhodes (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

ZIMMER ON UPS AND DOWNS

The Vikings' victory came on the heels of an opening loss in San Francisco that still bugs coach Mike Zimmer: "It was very uncharacteristic last week. I'm still wondering why we played like we did. Coach [Bill] Parcells called me last week and said, 'Hey Mike, it's human nature. Everybody's been talking about how good you are and how bad they were and all that kind of stuff.' You know, we can't take the cheese this week either because people will be saying nice things about us this week."

MANO-A-MANO

Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes vs. Lions WR Calvin Johnson

WHO WON?

Johnson was targeted 17 times, caught 10 and was held to 83 yards. Rhodes gets the edge just by limiting Johnson, who is one of the NFL's best wideouts.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Flooded zone

The Vikings had second-and-goal from the Detroit 5 on their first drive. TE Kyle Rudolph (82) and WR Jarius Wright were split right. Detroit's James Ihedigbo (32) lined up against Rudolph but rushed in to cover RB Adrian Peterson (28). Rudolph went to the back of the end zone, where QB Teddy Bridgewater (5) found him for the TD.

THE QUOTE

"I love everything about him, everything about this kid."

— Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on Bridgewater

This is a 2013 photo of Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions NFL football team. This image reflects the Detroit Lions active roster as of Monday, June 10, 2013 when this image was taken. (AP Photo) ORG XMIT: NFLHS13
Johnson (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

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