Pirate Galaxy » play a final its something special.Winn

DETROIT -- ?? Darius Slay dropped into coverage as if he was going to cover a deep route and pounced on an opportunity to help the Lions come back to win another game.Slay intercepted Sam Bradfords pass from the left hash across the field to help send the Lions into sole possession of first place in the NFC North.Slay returned the interception 13 yards with 30 seconds left to set up Matt Praters 40-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Lions to a 16-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday.Minnesota could have stuck with the conservative approach it took on offense for much of the game and played for overtime on its last drive, but coach Mike Zimmer allowed Bradford to pass and Slay made him regret it.I knew they were going to throw, Slay said. They didnt want overtime. They know what happened last time.Earlier this month, Prater made a game-tying 58-yard field goal at the end of regulation at Minnesota and the Lions won in overtime.Slay, a standout cornerback, who calls himself Big Play Slay, fooled Bradford by coming up and stepping in front of Adam Thielen to pick off the pass.I wish I could have seen him fall off the outside route and come back in, Bradford said.The Lions (7-4) have won six of seven, including two against Minnesota this month and four of the wins have come on Praters field goals, despite trailing in the fourth quarter of every game this season.Slay sealed the first victory during the successful stretch with an interception late in the game on Oct. 9 against Philadelphia.Hes as good as they come in those situations, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. Hes kind of got a knack for it. Hes a bit of a riverboat gambler.Detroit extended its NFL record of having its first 11 games decided by seven or fewer points.They come from behind every week, so when we took the lead in the fourth quarter, we knew the game wasnt over, Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph said. We had to keep playing, but we didnt make enough plays.The Vikings (6-5) have lost five of six, plummeting out of first place after surging to the top of the division by winning their first five games.LOSING THE LEAD(S)Forbath put the Vikings ahead for the first time, giving them a 13-10 lead early in the fourth on a 28-yard field goal after Cordarrelle Patterson gained 22 yards on a reverse .The Lions moved a step closer toward winning a division title for the first time since 1993 by breaking a tie atop the NFC North with Minnesota.If both teams finish the regular season tied atop the division, Detroit would win the tiebreaker.If they were handing out trophies the day after this win, Id feel a little bit different, Caldwell said. It means nothing right now, right? We havent done anything.THREE-AND-OUTMinnesota didnt convert a third down until Bradford connected with Patterson late in the third quarter and finished 2 of 10 on third down.We werent good enough on third downs offensively, Zimmer said. We cant continue to shoot ourselves in the foot with some of those penalties and negative plays.INJURY REPORTVikings: A banged-up offensive line took a hit in the first half when center Joe Berger was evaluated for a concussion, and wasnt cleared to return. The line had yet another setback midway through the fourth when tackle Jeremiah Sirles had to be helped off the field.Every time we get some chemistry going on the line, we lose someone else, Rudolph said.Minnesota started the game without receiver Stefon Diggs (knee), cornerback Terence Newman (neck) and punt returner Marcus Sherels (rib, ankle).Lions: Linebacker DeAndre Levy was inactive, but appears to be closer to coming back from a knee injury that has kept him out since Week 1.UP NEXTVikings: In a week, Minnesota will host the NFC-leading Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night.Lions: Detroit gets an extended break before playing Dec. 4 at New Orleans.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Larry Lage on Twitter at www.twitter.com/larrylageZylan Cheatham Jersey . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto. Darius Miller Pelicans Jersey . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. https://www.pelicanslockerroom.com/Nicolo-Melli-City-Edition-Jersey/ . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Jaxson Hayes Pelicans Jersey .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Kenrich Williams Jersey . Vettel, who has already clinched his fourth straight F1 title, enters the finale with a chance to equal Michael Schumachers 13 victories in a year and match the record of nine consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons.A stellar future surely awaits Melbourne City after securing the FFA Cup, but on Wednesday night coach John van t Schip couldnt help but take a moment to look back.Citys 1-0 defeat of Sydney FC is the first trophy in the clubs seven-season history.The largesse bestowed upon the club by owners City Football Group demands, and perhaps ensures, more prizes to come.Van t Schip has been there with the club from the beginning and was eager to thank family, friends and supporters who have stuck with him during the clubs arduous history.He dwelled on one fallen friend - Dutch great Johan Cruyff - who acted as his mentor both as a player and a coach.I think of Cruyff who passed away half a year ago, he said.His legacy, the football philosophy that he left behind. I hope to contribute (to that) in the way he wanted to play football.I think were making those steps.More than anyone else at the club, van t Schip is entitled to think about the clubs journey.Quirkily, in an era where coaches are turfed all too easily, the Dutchman is one of the few survivorrs from season one, with its infamous wheelie bin ice baths.ddddddddddddSo when he wore a broad smile at full-time on Wednesday night at AAMI Park, there was no doubt hed earned it.Everybodys been waiting for it, he said.Its a start, hopefully for a lot more.Moments like this evening dont come too often. Thats what we said to the boys ... that every time you play a final its something special.Winning prizes gives you confidence. It shows youre on the right path.Its of course important for the players, getting a reward.For the fans that can now say hey we won a prize.But life doesnt stop. We have to celebrate this and make sure were focused and prepared for the upcoming game.City return to A-League action earlier than they might like, returning to AAMI Park to play Brisbane on Saturday night.Van t Schip said that wouldnt stop him and his winners sharing a beer to take in the success.You have to celebrate, he said. ' ' '