PFW senior editor Eric Edholm picks the Vikings players of the week on offense, defense and special teams in their 26-23 Week Three overtime loss to the Lions.

Offense — RB Adrian Peterson

Once again the team took the ball out of his hands in the second half, giving it to him a mere five times. But in the first half, Peterson was strong again, gaining 79 yards on 13 touches and a rumbling, six-yard TD run. There's only so much he can do. Peterson was passed up on 4th-and-1 in the fourth quarter in a game-changing play.

Defense — DE Jared Allen

This one is easy. Allen has been off to a great start rushing the passer, and he had a three-sack game, helping pressure Lions QB Matthew Stafford like he hadn't been in the two games prior. Late in the second quarter, Allen crushed Stafford and helped snuff out a Lions drive; the following possession, the Vikings took a 20-0 lead right before halftime that should have been insurmountable.

Special teams — PR Marcus Sherels

He has been a bright spot this season. Sunday he returned four punts for 90 yards, including a 53-yarder that set up the 20-0 lead. He also made two special-teams tackles in coverage, including a great trackdown of Stefan Logan for minus-2 yards on a long punt.