Top Performers: Week 14

McMahon, Lions down rival Vikings for first victory

Mike McMahon's 241 yards passing and one rushing TD helped the Lions snag a win. AP

By B. Duane Cross, CNNSI.com

At first glance, Mike McMahon's numbers weren't eye-popping: 15 of 28 for 241 yards. No, he didn't throw a touchdown pass, but he didn't give up an interception either. To boot, he also ran 11 times for 75 yards and a TD.

But the most important number for the rookie QB: 1 -- as in the number of victories this season for the Detroit Lions.

Trailing 24-20 to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, McMahon took to the field. With 1:42 remaining in the third quarter, his first pass of the drive fell incomplete. He was sacked on his second attempt, down at the Detroit 6-yard line. Proving the third time's the charm, McMahon completed a 26-yard pass to David Sloan for a first down at the Lions' 32.

During the decisive series, McMahon completed only one of his final three passes, but it was a 26-yarder, and he rushed twice for 26 yards. Bottom line: McMahon marched Detroit down the field to set the stage for Cory Schlesinger's 1-yard plunge with 10:40 left to play -- Lions 27, Vikings 24.

"Hopefully, it will get the comedians off our back," Schlesinger said.

Certainly they can't think McMahon is a joke.

Here are this week's Top Performers:

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