MINNEAPOLIS —Mike Zimmer walked into the locker room and didn't see winners for the third week in a row, but he did see competitors.

The Vikings fell 22-16 to the Lions in overtime. Detroit won the coin toss to start the extra sessions and converted four third downs, including a 28-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Golden Tate on third-and-8 for the walk-off winner.

The Lions (5-4) also rallied at the end of regulation, driving 35 yards in 23 seconds and getting a 58-yard field goal by Matt Prater as time expired to tie the game at 16.

Minnesota (5-3) had taken its first lead on a crafty 1-yard touchdown by tight end Nick Easton, capping a 79-yard drive, showing mettle and composure in a pressure-packed situation. In the two previous weeks — losses on the road — the Vikings were unable to make a comeback in the fourth quarter.

"For the first time in three weeks, this team really fought like I expect them to fight," Zimmer said. "We'll continue to do these kinds of things, and we'll win football games."

Detroit, which has had all nine of its games decided by seven or fewer points this season, dealt the Vikings their first-ever loss at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Vikings (5-3) dropped their third in a row for only the second time under Zimmer. The head coach said it was a tough loss, but there were some positives, particularly in the fire he saw from his team.

"It's hard to feel good after a loss, but today we looked like we have in the past," Zimmer said. "Now, we didn't get it done today, but we fought. We came back from a deficit. We did the things that this team typically does. Obviously, we didn't get it done, and there's no guarantees, but I'd rather go into a fight with these guys the way they were today than the last couple of weeks."

Third downs strike at worst time: The Lions were 4-of-6 on third downs in the first half and 0-for-5 in the second half.

After allowing an 84-yard touchdown that consumed 9:45 of the second quarter, the Vikings forced a trio of three-and-punts by the Lions to start the second half, allowing five net yards on nine plays in the third quarter.

In overtime, however, Detroit converted third-and-3 and a third-and-8 with passes by Stafford before drawing a pass interference call against Xavier Rhodes on third-and-10.

"I guessed on a route, and he ran a different route," Rhodes said.

The penalty gave the Lions a fresh set of downs at the Vikings 30. After two runs by Theo Riddick netted 2 yards, Stafford found Tate, who dodged a hit by Rhodes and was able to stay in bounds and break loose from Harrison Smith before running down the sideline.

"I just missed the tackle," Rhodes said. "No matter how I missed or how I was aiming, I just missed it, simple as that."

Detroit finished the game 7-for-14 on third downs.

Seven-point swing: The Vikings offense rallied for its first touchdown of the day on its second possession of the second half, driving 78 yards and finishing with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Rudolph to Kyle Rudolph. Kevin McDermott, however, hit the right upright during his extra point attempt.

Minnesota moved into position to take its first lead of the game early in the fourth quarter, but Tyrunn Walker blocked a 46-yard attempt by Walsh, and Glover Quin returned the ball 32 yards to the Minnesota 42. The Lions gained eight yards (including five on an offsides penalty), and Prater drilled a 53-yard field goal to make it 13-9 with 12:33 remaining.

"I probably didn't hit it well enough," Walsh said. "You never know until you watch film. I probably didn't hit it well enough and get it over the line. That's my fault. I didn't come through for my team there.

"I've been in this league long enough where I've had success, but I'm in a place where I've got to make kicks, and I know that," Walsh said. "I need to be there for my team. That's what it comes down to."

Trae Waynes said there were multiple reasons the Vikings lost.

"It's fickle. Sometimes [a kicker is] the hero," Newman said. "Sometimes you miss a kick and it could end up being that deciding factor. It was a lot of other things in the game. We can say what we want to about that. As a defense, you want to hold them to as few of points as possible, and we didn't do that, so to me, it's us. That's just me being a competitor and a defensive guy. We've got to have a solid defense, and today we broke a little bit."

Filling in on defense

The Vikings had to fill in for starting middle linebacker Eric Kendricks, who suffered a concussion Monday at Chicago. Jack Tocho stepped in for Kendricks in base defense, and the Vikings used a combination of Riley Reiff and Emmanuel Lamur on third downs.

Kendricks normally stays on the field with Anthony Barr when the Vikings are in their nickel package.

Greenway recorded six tackles and intercepted Stafford. The 11th career pick by the 11-year pro placed him in a tie for fifth-most by a Vikings linebacker alongside Scott Studwell and Jeff Siemon.

"Eric's a pivotal player for us defensively," Greenway said. "It's hard to fill what he's doing and his role. We just tried to play as good as we could play."

Greenway returned the interception 17 yards to the Detroit 18, but the Vikings eventually ended that possession with a punt.

The Vikings also suffered the loss of nickel cornerback Mackensie Alexander. He was replaced by rookie Mackensie Alexander at first, and then the Vikings moved Newman to nickel.

"Captain went down, and I've been throughout the system for quite a while, so I knew pretty much the ins and outs, a couple things here and there that I didn't know," Newman said. "I made plenty of mistakes myself. It was just a chance. I had to go play. I love the game of football, and it doesn't matter where I play, I'm going to play with everything I have."

Munnerlyn left the game with ankle and knee injuries. He tried to come back in the game but was forced to the sidelines. Munnerlyn said he is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday.

Vikings punt return specialist Marcus Sherels suffered an ankle injury during the game. Stefon Diggs, who recorded a career-high **13 receptions**, returned three punts a total of 29 yards.

Up next: Minnesota got a favor Sunday evening when the Colts defeated the Packers (4-4) in Green Bay. The Vikings will alternate between road and home games in each of the final eight weeks of the season, starting with a trip to Washington (4-3-1) on Sunday.

"In the NFL, your success is completely derived from your ability to bounce back because [stuff] is going to happen," Greenway said. "It's the NFL. Everybody is good. It doesn't matter who you play. You're never judged on one game. That's the beauty of it. At the same time, you've got to win games. Our success moving forward is [going to depend] on our ability to move forward.

"We don't think about it as, 'We lost three in a row.' If we are, we're messed up. It's a one-week business and we have to find the ability to move forward. We played better today, but we didn't win, so it doesn't matter."