Minneapolis – Injuries forced Minnesota and Detroit to switch quarterbacks this week, and Brad Johnson renewed the Vikings’ faith in their replacement.
Joey Harrington’s return as the Lions’ starter, though, produced far less favorable results.
Johnson passed for 136 yards and two touchdowns in relief of Daunte Culpepper, Michael Bennett rushed 18 times for 106 yards and Minnesota beat Detroit 27-14 on Sunday to create a tie for second place in the punchless NFC North.
“It does feel good,” said the 37-year-old Johnson, who started for the first time since Tampa Bay benched him after the fourth game of last season. “It’s been a long time.”
Johnson, who began his career with the Vikings (3-5) and made 24 starts for them from 1996-98, sandwiched second-quarter scoring tosses to Bennett and Nate Burleson around rookie Ciatrick Fason’s first touchdown on a 3-yard run.
They needed only seven offensive plays for those 21 points in a span of less than four minutes, the last two touchdowns following a fumble and an interception by Harrington deep in Detroit’s territory.
Leading rusher Kevin Jones was sidelined in the second quarter by an injured right shoulder, but Detroit (3-5) had plenty of other critical problems – perhaps beginning Thursday, when coach Steve Mariucci named Harrington the starter over a banged-up Jeff Garcia.
Garcia, still bothered by a left leg he broke in the final exhibition game, started the past two games. But Mariucci indicated Garcia wouldn’t be ready to practice yet by today – or possibly even Wednesday – leaving the position unsettled for another week.
Harrington finished 28-for-48 for 263 yards and two interceptions, plus a costly fumble, but he never looked comfortable in the pocket and threw several weak and wobbly balls.
“You put pressure on him, and he gets happy feet back there. Then he’s not as accurate,” said Antoine Winfield, whose interception set up Burleson’s touchdown. “I think I would’ve went with Garcia, but he’s hurt.”
