The tone was set early in the Vikings thrashing of the Detroit Lions. Vikings receiver/kick returner/running back/towel boy Percy Harvin took the opening kickoff of the game in his own endzone and he didn’t stop until he got to the other endzone, going 101 yards to give the Vikings and early 7-0 lead on the road in Detroit.
Harvin returning the kick on the opening kickoff also signaled a continued breakdown in the Lions special teams play. The boos reigned from the stands in Detroit, but it wouldn’t be the last kickoff return for a touchdown.
Punt returner Marcus Sherels (from John Marshall High School in Rochester, Minn) returned the first punt of the second half over 70 yards for a touchdown, confirming that the Lions have absolutely no special teams. Sherels kick return meant that four kicks in the last two games have been returned all the way against this horrendous Lions special teams unit, something that has been crippling their chances to stay competitive.
On the other side of the ball, the Vikings actually look like a good football team. Whether this is because when contrasted against the Motor City Kitties anyone could look good is yet to be seen. But after a commanding performance against the 49ers last week, the Vikings are in line to win their first NFC North game since September 2010.
