IN THE RUNNING: Lions v. Vikings
By Andrea de Vera
OnlineTickets.com
MINNEAPOLIS – With fans and the NFL nation mourning the loss and celebrating the life of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor during Week 13, a slate of NFL games rolled on, including the Minnesota Vikings-Detroit Lions divisional clash inside Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Sunday. 
Who Came, Saw, and Conquered: In a 42-10 rout, the Vikings improved (and the Lions fell) to 6-6 on the season, keeping both teams in the thick of the NFC Wild Card hunt.
Lookin’ Good: Vikings offense
Reeling off three consecutive wins, the Vikings’ offense seems to have finally come together. In Sunday’s game, the Vikings controlled the ball for 38 minutes, scored on nearly every offensive possession, ran the ball with ease for 216 yards, and allowed QB Tarvaris Jackson to tally his first 200-yard showing of the season and sixth win in eight starts.
Seen Better Days: Lions offense…and defense
The Lions offensive effort was, well, offensive. Sure, QB Jon Kitna recorded 260 yards through the air, but the Lions offense converted only 3 of 10 first downs and recorded just 23 net rushing yards. On defense, the Lions could not stop the Vikings run, allowing running backs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor 116 and 70 yards rushing, respectively.
Keep an Eye On: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson
After sitting on the sidelines with a knee injury since Week 10, the rushin’ rookie returned to the starting lineup and looked good, breaking and evading tackles for 116 rushing yards and two TDs. Averaging league-bests 119.7 rushing yards per game and 1,197 total rushing yards to date, Peterson remains a formidable frontrunner for Offensive Rookie-of-the-Year honors at season’s end.
Week 14 Watch: Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) vs. New England Patriots (12-0)
While the Patriots improved to 12-0 Monday, they have also proved that they are far from invincible, especially after beating their past two opponents – Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles – by a combined 6 points. With the Jets, Dolphins, and the Giants left on the Patriots’ schedule, the AFC-East-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) have the best chance at disrupting the Pats’ pursuit of perfection in Week 14.
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