The Minnesota Vikings are expected to start Nick Mullens against the Detroit Lions this coming Sunday, according to sources.

Mullens completed 26 of 33 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings' 27-24 overtime loss Saturday to the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Kevin O'Connell stopped short Saturday of naming Mullens his starter moving forward but left little doubt about his assessment of his play.

"The biggest thing is Nick showed he can execute our offense and really move the football team," O'Connell said. "I think what we've got to continue to work through are those plays where we don't try to do too much."