MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 21 -- The Minnesota Vikings were behind again, Randy Moss was still on the sideline and their frustrated fans began to boo.
In what could prove to be a season-saving performance, Daunte Culpepper led a determined comeback and Minnesota's maligned defense made it count against sliding Detroit.
Vikings' Nate Burleson keeps his feet in bounds and hauls in a 4th-quarter touchdown pass from Daunte Culpepper, who lauded his team's character in comeback.
(Eric Miller -- Reuters)
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| _____ Week 11 Games/Finals _____
• Philadelphia 28, Washington 6
• Baltimore 30, Dallas 10
• Tampa Bay 35, San Francisco 3
• Denver 34, New Orleans 13
• Minnesota 22, Detroit 19
• Tennessee 18, Jacksonville 15
• N.Y. Jets 10, Cleveland 7
• Pittsburgh 19, Cincinnati 14
• Indianapolis 41, Chicago 10
• Carolina 35, Arizona 10
• Buffalo 37, St. Louis 17
• San Diego 23, Oakland 17
• Atlanta 14, N.Y. Giants 10
• Seattle 24, Miami 17
• Green Bay 16, Houston 13
• N.E. 27, Pittsburgh 19
Two-Minute Drill
• Week 11: News and Stats
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The Vikings shut out the Lions' offense in the second half, overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter and ended their three-game losing streak Sunday with a 22-19 victory.
Culpepper completed 22 of 32 passes for 233 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for Minnesota (6-4) in a critical division matchup. And he did it without Moss for the third straight week because of a strained right hamstring.
"The character of this team really showed today," Culpepper said.
Detroit (4-6) dropped its fourth in a row, scoring only 10 points against a defense that gave up 65 over the last two games in last-second losses at Indianapolis and Green Bay.
"It started last week, when a lot of guys -- especially the veterans -- really started to take over the team a little bit," said Lance Johnstone, who sacked Joey Harrington three times. "We started holding everyone accountable."
Eddie Drummond ran the opening kickoff back for a 92-yard touchdown, his third score for the Lions in a five-return span after setting an NFL record with two punt returns for touchdowns in the fourth quarter last week at Jacksonville.
Rookie Kevin Jones rushed for a career-high 100 yards, but only five of them came after halftime -- when the league's worst running team reemerged. The Lions were penalized nine times for 116 yards, including an unnecessary roughness call on Jones early in the fourth quarter that left them at third and 17 instead of third and 2.
"I need to keep my cool and not get into trouble," Jones said.
The flag came at a critical juncture. Culpepper had just finished the first of two long touchdown marches in the final period with an eight-yard pass and two-point conversion throw to Nate Burleson.
Detroit punted, and Culpepper promptly guided the Vikings on the go-ahead drive capped by a one-yard plunge from Moe Williams that made it 22-19 with 5 minutes 27 seconds remaining.
