BACKS AGAINST THE WALL

Kyle Rudolph called the Dallas Cowboys "the best team in football." The Vikings' Week 13 opponent meets a team trying to catch its breath after the Lions delivered another gut punch, this one with Sam Bradford's game-closing interception and a defense that let Matthew Stafford loose for big run plays.

MANO-A-MANO

Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes vs. Lions WR Golden Tate

WHO WON?

Tate had five catches for 77 yards, but the Vikings had to deal with Anquan Boldin, Andre Roberts and Marvin Jones, too, all routinely targeted.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Out of nowhere

Sam Bradford (8) has thrown three interceptions all season. That's not a lot. But it's one too many when it ends a potential winning drive. His pass intended for Adam Thielen (19) was picked off by Darius Slay (23) on third-and-7 in trap coverage. Slay returned it to the 20 to set up the winning field goal by Matt Prater.

Tate

THE QUOTE

" We can't continue to shoot ourselves in the foot with some of those penalties and negative plays."

— Mike Zimmer