Vikings 'D' paves the way

For the first time this season the Vikings defense was at full strength. In Minnesota's first two games, the defense did play well. But not as strong as the unit looked Sunday vs. Detroit.

With Cedric Griffin and rookie Chris Cook back from injuries, as well as Jimmy Kennedy, Minnesota had three key pieces make their 2010 debuts against the Lions.

I know, I know, it was Detroit. And it was Shaun Hill at quarterback. But the Vikings had similar games against the Saints and the Dolphins.

Entering the season, everyone thought that Brett Favre and the offense would be the toast of the town. This is the black and blue division though — and the Purple People Eaters are carrying the Vikings right now.

Adrian Peterson did have another huge game. His 80-yard touchdown run and inspired running all game carried the offense. Once again, Favre had his flashbacks to 2009, but Minnesota had to overcome his play to try and win the game.

Good thing Detroit couldn't do anything on offense. It was clear right from the start that Minnesota's defense was on its game. The first two drives of the game for the Lions: six plays, 13 yards, two punts.

The third drive started on the Vikings' 12-yard line thanks to a Favre interception off a screen pass. And the defense even held Detroit to third-and-short before Hill threw their only touchdown of the game. There's a reason that Hill and the Lions' offense couldn't get anything going.

Kennedy is their third defensive tackle too. He fills the role of the tackle that gives Pat Williams his breathers and maybe adds more of a pass rush threat as well.

Detroit's offense didn't look very good — that could be its own doing or a product of things Minnesota was doing. I think it was a combination of both. It probably would've been a different game had Matthew Stafford played.

After all, the Lions scored all 10 of their points off Vikings turnovers. If it wasn't for the Minnesota offense, maybe the defense has a shutout.

In years past, the Vikings' secondary resembled Swiss cheese, but that was hardly the case Sunday — and for the first three games this season for that matter. There have been big plays here and there, but teams haven't been able to march up and down the field at will. And the rush defense, that's been a constant for a while now.

Most of Hill's 237 yards came when the Lions were scrambling for a comeback, and Detroit only had 66 yards rushing.

No matter what Favre does — whether he figures it out or not — this offense is talented enough to score enough points to win if the defense keeps this up. Peterson and Percy Harvin did what they had to do against Detroit — and the offense scored 24 points.

There's no question that through the first three games that the defense has carried this team. Who would've thought that the offense would struggle this much?

Sure, the defense hasn't been perfect. Maybe you'd like to see more sacks or more pressure on opposing quarterbacks at times. Maybe you'd like to see more turnovers forced. But the Lions game and the first three weeks as a whole have shown us the foundation is there. This defense could be really special.

They're going to have to be unless Favre finds his mojo again.