Moore’s Pain Felt by Vikings

His left foot was throbbing, as was his left pinky.

The painkillers that got Herman Moore through Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings were wearing off in the locker room, but the euphoria of what he had just accomplished helped him handle the soreness.

On crutches all week, Moore made a leaping touchdown catch of Scott Mitchell’s alley-oop pass with three seconds left to help give the Detroit Lions a 14-13 victory that stunned the reeling Vikings.

Moore’s one-yard touchdown reception, which he set up with a 20-yard catch moments earlier, kept alive the Lions’ hopes of completing a late-season playoff push. Detroit (8-7) won for the fourth time in five games and can qualify for the playoffs by defeating the New York Jets at home next weekend.

“I had enough excuses in the world to sit this game out, but the season is on the line,” said Moore, who stayed in the locker room getting treatment until game time. “Everyone in this room is playing with pain. What makes mine any different? I’ve got to get out there and suck it up.”

Despite losing its fifth consecutive game, Minnesota (8-7) still can make the playoffs by defeating Indianapolis at home next weekend.

“We have to make the playoffs, and in order to do that we’ve got to forget about this one fast,” Viking cornerback Corey Fuller said.

The loss was devastating for the Vikings because they turned in a remarkable defensive effort with four rookie starters--the most in team history--and had many chances to put the game away.

They settled for Eddie Murray’s two short field goals in the first half instead of touchdowns, and came away with no points after taking over at the Detroit 32 late in the second quarter.

Leading, 13-7, at halftime, the Vikings managed only two first downs and 14 passing yards in the second half. Still, their defense nearly was good enough to overcome those horrible numbers.

Barry Sanders had his 13th consecutive 100-yard game for Detroit, carrying 19 times for 138 yards. That left him 131 short of becoming the third player in NFL history to reach 2,000.

But 94 of his yards came in two carries as the Vikings’ revamped defense made several goal-line stands and other big plays.

Pro Bowl tackle John Randle, who started at right end because of myriad injuries, had three sacks, and converted middle linebacker Eddie McDaniel made an interception with 2:53 left.

But Murray, a former Lion, missed a clinching 37-yard field goal attempt with 1:56 left, and Detroit had one more chance.

“If I make it, we win. End of story,” Murray said. “I lost the game.”

Detroit took over at its 28, and reached Minnesota’s 32 with 27 seconds left. That’s when Moore made his first big play.

Getting a late jump because he thought a penalty had been called, Moore slipped into the middle of the field to make his 20-yard reception.

Scott Mitchell spiked the ball to stop the clock with 10 seconds left, then lofted a pass for Johnnie Morton on the left. Dewayne Washington was called for interference, giving Detroit a first down at the one-yard line with six seconds left.

Moore lined up alone against Washington on the right--Moore was useless all day on the left side of the formation because of the torn ligaments in his foot--and easily outjumped a stumbling Washington to make the touchdown reception. Jason Hanson, who had missed two field goals, then made the decisive extra-point kick.