The Vikings were down to the Lions by 11 points twice early, but picked themselves off the mat by putting Matthew Stafford on the turf.
After allowing two touchdowns in the first quarter, Minnesota's defense limited Detroit's offense to a field goal the rest of the way for a 28-19 victory at Ford Field.
The Vikings sacked Stafford seven times and allowed five net yards from the start of the second quarter until 3:21 remained in the fourth quarter.
Teddy Bridgewater overcame pressure, including four sacks by Detroit, and completed touchdowns of 1 yard to Kyle Rudolph and 36 yards to rookie Stefon Diggs. Bridgewater finished 25-for-35 passing for 316 yards with no turnovers.
The Vikings got field goals of 37 and 53 from Blair Walsh on their first two possessions, but suffered a fumble on their third. Walsh later added field goals of 51, 35 and 22.
Peterson didn't take the handoff from Bridgewater cleanly, and the ball bounced several yards up field before it was fallen on by Stephen Tulloch. The Vikings, however, limited the Lions to a 52-yard field goal due in large part to a sack by Everson Griffen that created a third-and-22. Peterson finished with 98 yards on 19 carries.
Bridgewater started the next possession with an 11-yard gain to Diggs, then opted to take a check-down to Line, who had nothing but open green turf. Line cruised down the Lions sideline for a 49-yard gain.
Diggs led the Vikings with 108 yards on six catches.
Jerick McKinnon followed with gains of 9, 6 and 2 to move the ball to the Detroit 2-yard line. Peterson gained 1 before the Vikings used play-action on a 1-yard TD pass from Bridgewater that Rudolph speared with his left hand and secured with his right.
Stafford completed his first seven passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns before Greenway sacked the Lions QB. The Vikings pressured Stafford the following play with Eric Kendricks recording a hit. Stafford finished the first half 9-for-13 for 137 yards.
The Vikings improved to 71-36-2 all-time against the Lions and 32-22-1 in Detroit.
