Without Percy Harvin, the Vikings may have found another weapon to use against the Lions.
Rookie wide receiver Jarius Wright, active for the first time this season, beat Lions safety Erik Coleman for a 54-yard catch that put the Vikings on the 1.
Two plays later, the Vikings scored on a 3-yard touchdown pass to Wright to take an early 7-0 lead.
The Lions were moving the ball well on their first drive, but were forced to punt after failing to overcome a 15-yard illegal block penalty on wide receiver Ryan Broyles.