National Football League

Jersey snore: Horrid first half, late interception spell defeat for Vikings

Published Oct. 12, 2010 10:19 p.m. ET

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Vikings can break down about 19 minutes of tape from Monday's 29-20 loss to the Jets and find the offense that team owner Zygi Wilf imagined when he said the team was "All in."

Randy Moss beating corners on go routes.

Percy Harvin flying all over the field.

Brett Favre looking inspired with every throw.

But when the Vikings' fantasy world collides with an inconsistent reality, there lies a team with a 1-3 record, a third-place position in the NFC North standings and loads of distractions courtesy of the quarterback who struggled mightily through the better part of three quarters.

Call Sunday's game against the Cowboys in the Metrodome the Desperation Bowl, two teams with Super Bowl aspirations marred by 1-3 starts.

The chance to squeeze momentum and pull off a huge win over the Jets (4-1) was within the Vikings' grasp after the home team left 1:48 on the clock, clinging to a 22-20 lead.

On third and 5, cornerback Dwight Lowery returned an interception for a 26-yard touchdown with 1:38 left to seal the Vikings' fate.

The interception left Favre to answer questions about allegations of inappropriate conduct toward a former Jets employee that has turned into a formal NFL investigation instead of a vintage comeback win.

By the time Favre and the offense found any sort of rhythm, there was too much for the Vikings to overcome despite a valiant performance from a defense that was on the field for almost 35 minutes.

Wide receiver Percy Harvin said the difference was the Vikings opening up the passing game more in the second half, something the receivers wanted in the first half.

The Vikings converted seven of their final nine third downs after an 0-for-6 start.

"We knew their DBs couldn't lock us up one on one," Harvin said. "You saw that coming into the second half."

Perhaps the Vikings did just enough to quell complete panic permeating through the Twin Cities. The passing game kind of came alive, if only for a portion of the second half.

After all the hype that surrounded this game, the Vikings looked incredibly subdued through more than a half of football.

How the Jets were only up 9-0 was incredible considering they outdistanced the Vikings 206-52 in total yardage.

Through 23 minutes and five offensive possessions, the Vikings' offense managed one first down, one Favre completion and a 0-for-5 performance on third down.

The Vikings couldn't pick up the Jets' delayed blitz from the secondary, an area that used to make former third-down back Chester Taylor, who signed with Chicago during the offseason, so valuable.

A Calvin Pace facemask penalty with five minutes left in the second period was the best offensive play the Vikings had all quarter.

Three of the first five drives went as follows: Run, run, pass, punt.

"The first half was just a blur," said Moss, who had four catches for 81 yards and a 37-yard touchdown in his Vikings return. "If we put our heart and soul into what we want to do, the sky's the limit for this team."

The usually stout defense allowed LaDainian Tomlinson to slice through the line for 53 total yards in the first quarter.

The Jets finished the quarter with 100 yards, and the only reason they didn't punch in a touchdown midway through the period was because of two impressive diving tackles by linebacker Chad Greenway in the red zone.

Defensive end Ray Edwards seems to be the only defensive lineman getting consistent pressure these days with 1 1/2 sacks. The Vikings limited Mark Sanchez's deep gains with two red-zone stops.

The rain must have washed the Vikings' spirit away because the offensive huddle looked like it had no purpose for a while.

Just when the Vikings got a positive play with a 7-yard catch by Moss, his first as a Viking, Favre fumbled the snap and linebacker Bart Scott recovered. The Jets converted the turnover into one of five Nick Folk field goals.

Favre sees the second half as a glimpse into the potential of the Vikings, for better or worse.

"I think everyone who watches us play sees flashes of a team that can be 3-1, can be 4-0, whatever you want to say," Favre said. "It's not that we're not capable. We're very capable."