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No first downs? No problem. Tebow, Broncos still lead 7-5

Haggan's pick-six erases Vikings' early 2-0 lead in the first quarter, before the Vikings regained the lead and held it midway through the third quarter.

By Mark Craig

December 4, 2011 at 8:11PM

The Vikings' Toby Gerhart leapt over Denver's Quinton Carter while carrying the ball for 16 yards in the second quarter to the Denver 19 yard line. The Minnesota Vikings faced the Denver Broncos in an NFL game at Mall of America Field in Minneapolis, Minn. on Sunday afternoon, December 4, 2011. (Dml - Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

How's this for the latest chapter of Tebowmania?:

The Broncos' offense has no first downs and one safety (on its first play of the game) and yet Denver still leads 7-5 entering the second quarter at Mall of thanks to linebacker Mario Haggan's 16-yard interception return for a touchdown

The Vikings took a 2-0 lead on Denver's first offensive snap of the game. After Eric Frampton downed a Chris Kluwe punt at the Denver 1, running back Willis McGahee was dropped for a safety. Defensive end Jared Allen hit him first, tying an NFL record with his fourth career safety.

Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder is taking a beating and looks lost. He lost a fumble and threw the pick-six when he didn't see Haggans drop into coverage.

The Vikings added a 40-yard field goal with 1:24 left.

In other words, zzzzz.

about the writer

Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).