DETROIT _ With the Minnesota Vikings staring at third-and-long and this critical NFC North game tied at 13-13 with less than a minute left to play at Ford Field, it looked as if the Vikings and Detroit Lions would be heading to overtime for the second time this season.
But quarterback Sam Bradford, who has been so steady this season despite issues with pass protection and the league's worst rushing attack, threw his third interception of the season in Vikings territory. Lions cornerback Darius Slay returned the ill-timed interception to the 20-yard line, setting up Matt Prater's game-winning field goal.
The 16-13 loss put the Vikings a game and a half behind the Lions in the division.
It was the latest comeback win for the Lions and quarterback Matthew Stafford, who rallied from three points down with five minutes left to stun the Vikings again.
The Lions started their game-tying drive at their 1-yard line. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin beat cornerback Captain Munnerlyn for 29 yards on third-and-8. Stafford then hit wide receiver Marvin Jones and Boldin again to get into field-goal range.
The Vikings blew a three-point lead in a home loss to the Lions three weeks ago.
Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes walked the field as Lions kicker Matt Prater (5) celebrated his winning field goal Thursday afternoon.
The Lions scored on the game's opening drive, with Stafford completing all six of his pass attempts, including his 2-yard touchdown toss to Boldin, who was wide open.
The Vikings responded with a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Matt Asiata on their first drive of the game. Twice on that drive the Lions thought they had forced turnovers, but a penalty wiped out a would-be interception and an official review overturned a called fumble on the field after it was determined Bradford threw a forward pass.
The Lions reclaimed the lead with a 29-yard field goal in the second quarter. Prater's kick was set up by a 41-yard reception by Lions wide receiver Golden Tate.
Late in the first half, the Vikings gained possession near midfield after stopping the Lions on fourth-and-1. The offense went nowhere, though, keeping the score at 10-7.
The Vikings tied it up again midway through the third quarter. A 41-yard reception by running back Jerick McKinnon put Kai Forbath in position for a 30-yard field goal. They then took their first lead of the game, 13-10, early in the fourth quarter.
McKinnon gained 10 yards on a Wildcat run. Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson caught a 10-yard pass to give the Vikings their first third-down conversion of the day. Then he rushed for 21 yards on a reverse. But an illegal chop block penalty on left tackle T.J. Clemmings forced the Vikings to settle for another Forbath field goal.
