MINNEAPOLIS — With two of their best players on offense injured and ruled out against the Minnesota Vikings, the Detroit Lions’ defense made sure their presence wasn’t needed.

Detroit’s defense stifled, harassed and physically dominated the Vikings’ offense on Sunday at TCF Bank Stadium, leading the Lions to a 17-3 win in a game that wasn’t that close.

With wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Reggie Bush sidelined with ankle injuries, the Detroit offense didn’t do much either.

They didn’t have to.

Detroit’s defense was animalistic, sacking Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater eight times, picking him off on three occasions and holding the Vikings to 212 total yards.

Detroit got all the offense it needed on the opening drive, scoring on a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to running back Theo Riddick. For Riddick, who sparked the drive with a 41-yard catch two plays earlier, it was his first career receiving touchdown.

The Lions overcame continued woes in their kicking game. Matt Prater, the team’s third kicker of the season who joined Detroit on Thursday, made only 1 of 3 attempts, missing on a 50-yard try in the second quarter and a 44-yarder in the third quarter.

Running back Joique Bell, starting in place of Bush, had Detroit’s other touchdown, leaping over the top for a 1-yard score early in the fourth quarter. Bell rushed 18 times for 75 yards and the one score.

Riddick led the Lions with 75 yards on five catches before leaving the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury.

Bridgewater finished 23-of-37 passing for 188 yards. Running back Jerick McKinnon led Minnesota with 40 yards rushing and 42 yards receiving.

Minnesota’s lone score came on a 40-yard field goal by Blair Walsh late in the game.

NOTES: Lions RB Theo Riddick left the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. … Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon made his first career NFL start. … Lions S James Ihedigbo suffered an injury in the fourth quarter and did not return.