The Detroit Lions have gone into half time with a 17-15 lead against their NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings.

The hosts got going early as Matthew Stafford found his favourite target Calvin Johnson for a 46-yard pass play on their first drive, that was capped off with the two connecting again for a one-yard touchdown.

Minnesota replied straight away with some points of their own but after a 14-play drive, the visiting team had to settle for a Blair Walsh field goal.

Detroit answered back in emphatic fashion after Stafford threw to Eric Ebron for a 55-yard gain before the quarterback found his tight end again for a seven-yard connection as the hosts went up 14-3 at the end of the first quarter.

The Vikings would try to reply again on their next drive but they could not find a way into the endzone, so it was up to Walsh to put up another three points from 53 yards away - his longest kick of the season so far.

The home team restored their 11-point advantage later in the second quarter after Matt Prater hit a long field goal of his own as he converted a 52-yard strike through the uprights.

Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater finally made a big play for his team, connecting with Zach Line for a 49-yard pass before he found Kyle Rudolph for the one-yard touchdown, although Walsh failed to convert the extra point.

The away side tried to go in front heading into half time but yet again, they had to settle for three points as Walsh converted from over 50 yards again.