Jim Mone / AP

Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson scores on an 80-yard touchdown run against Detroit on Sunday. Peterson finished with 160 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings' 24-10 victory.

Peterson rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, but some followers called it a "down year" for a player who has set the bar so high for himself. His longest run of the year was a 64-yarder in the opener, but the rest of his season lacked that signature Peterson flair.

It returned in a hurry in the third quarter when Peterson burst through a tiny crack, stiff-armed safety C.C. Brown and cut to the right before turning on the jets for the longest run of his career to give Minnesota a 24-10 lead.

"I was able to press it, cut back and bounce it outside," Peterson said. "And it was off to the races."

The Lions came into the game tied for the NFL lead in sacks and determined to show everyone that they were no longer the NFC North doormats they have been for most of this decade.

Corey Williams read a screen play beautifully, slicing through a hole to undercut running back Toby Gerhart and intercept Favre's pass. He rumbled 27 yards to the Vikings 12, setting up Hill's TD pass to Tony Scheffler for a 7-0 lead.

The Lions only sacked Favre once, but they battered the 40-year-old throughout the game and had him grabbing his right shoulder in pain in the second quarter. But penalties nullified two turnovers by Favre — one a fumble on a sack and the other an interception — and led to 10 Minnesota points.

A fumble by Lions punt returner Stefan Logan set up the Vikings' first touchdown, a play-action pass from Favre to Percy Harvin, who made an incredible diving catch in the end zone.

"We need to develop more of an instinct to finish. We started off 7-0 and then we turned the ball over on a punt and let them right back in the game," Schwartz said. "That's stuff that we need to do a better job of. When we get them down early, we need to put the foot to the floor and stretch out the lead rather than giving it back to them."

Jason Hanson missed a 44-yard field goal and the Vikings took the lead for good with a 10-play drive that Peterson finished with a punishing 6-yard run. He flattened defensive back Jonathan Wade at the end of the run for a 14-7 lead.

"He never ceases to amaze you," coach Brad Childress said.

Notes: A skirmish broke out in the third quarter, with Vikings DEs Ray Edwards and Jared Allen wrestling with several Lions offensive linemen. "All I can say about that is that I, we, are not going to be anybody's punk out there," Hill said. ... Vikings C John Sullivan (calf) left after the first play of the game. Ryan Cook filled in well for him the rest of the way. TE Visanthe Shiancoe also had a leg injury, but Childress said he would be fine. ... Williams spent his first four seasons in Green Bay playing with Favre. "It felt real good against a guy like that and a friend of mine like that," he said of his interception. ... The Vikings defense held the Lions to 63 yards rushing and 3 for 12 on third downs.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 3 games JETS 31, DOLPHINS 23: Edwards returns to makes key TD catch  |    Highlights COWBOYS 27, TEXANS 13: Dallas avoids rare 0-3 start  |    Romo excited FALCONS 27, SAINTS 24, OT: Champs miss short FG in OT  |    Saints explain loss TITANS 29, GIANTS 10: Johnson scores 2 TDs  |    Coughlin takes blame EAGLES 28, JAGUARS 3: Vick makes Reid's decision look great  |    QB thrilled COLTS 27, BRONCOS 13: Manning throws 3 TD passes VIKINGS 24, LIONS 10: Peterson's career-long 80-yard TD keys win PATRIOTS 38, BILLS 30: 14th straight win in series for New England SEAHAWKS 27, CHARGERS 20: Washington has two kickoff returns for TDs CHIEFS 31, 49ERS 10: K.C. 3-0 for first time since '03  |    Chiefs confident STEELERS 38, BUCCANEERS 13: Batch shines in first start in 3 years RAMS 30, REDSKINS 16: Only second win in last 29 games for St. Louis RAVENS 24, BROWNS 17: Flacco fires 3 TD passes BENGALS 20, PANTHERS 7: Clausen struggles in first NFL start CARDINALS 24, RAIDERS 23: Janikowski misses 32-yard FG on final play

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