When two bad teams get together, sometimes they can produce some great theater. Such was the case Sunday in Detroit, where a pair of 1-8 teams gave fans one of the day's best games.At the end, a penalty that was called on the game's last play gave the homestanding Lions one untimed down from the Cleveland 1. They made it count, as rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford hit tight end Brandon Pettigrew for six, and a Jason Hanson extra point gave Detroit a 38-37 win.
With Detroit on the Cleveland 32 and eight seconds left, Stafford scrambled and bought plenty of time before heaving a pass to the end zone. Receiver Calvin Johnson was undercut in the end zone, drawing the pass interference call with no time on the clock and giving Detroit one more play.
After the throw, Stafford was hit by Browns tackle C.J. Mosley, who drove Stafford hard into the turf. Stafford landed on his left shoulder and didn't appear able to lift his arm up.
Backup Daunte Culpepper lined up under center in relief, but when the Browns called a timeout, Stafford was able to return to the game. He then threw a touchdown pass to Pettigrew on the untimed down that followed Cleveland's penalty.
"He just said, I'm ready,''' Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said. "He could walk.
"There was no one who was going to stop him from going back on the field. He had come way too far in that game to not finish it.''
After the pass, Stafford appeared to be in a high degree of pain -- reports said that X-rays on Stafford's shoulder were negative, but he would likely go for an MRI on Monday.
A successful extra point gave Detroit the win, and the crowd at Ford Field went crazy.
In helping Detroit improve to 2-8, Stafford set an NFL rookie record with five touchdown passes. He out-dueled Cleveland's Brady Quinn, who led the Browns to an early 24-3 lead before the Lions began their comeback.
Ten Reasons Why NFL Preseason Games Really Do Matter -- http://bit.ly/9AVuRf
@iainrobinson goodell's track record on ALL suspensions. It was 4-6 when he imposed it. Time off if he behaves.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
hmm ha, just look at them brownies!!
I don't follow football much, but I heard that a couple of weeks ago, some classless Lions fans were heckling Matthew Stafford after yet another loss. All I could think of was how pathetic it was....the kids just a rookie in his first year, and what do they want....miracles??? I was just wishing the kid well. Well, he did alright today...threw a TD pass on the last play of the game to win it. Think he threw for 404 yds. and 5 TD's. When I heard it, I LOVED IT!!!!.....WAY TO GO MATTHEW!!!!!
I had an intuition the kid might be good. Time will tell if I'm right or not. BUT JUST SO HAPPY FOR YOU MATTHEW!!!!!! Now if "some" of the classless Lions fans WILL LEAVE HIM ALONE, and give him time to mature, he just might not only be good, but great. Just might be the next Bobby Lane. AGAIN, JUST SO HAPPY FOR YOU MATTHEW, AND WAY TO GO!!!!!!
I completely agree. This young guy has guts and can throw the ball a mile. What he did today should win him a lot of fans. This was a great win for a team and city trying to get back in their feet.
Way to go Lions! Well done Stafford! The city of Detroit deserves to have an outcome like this, even if it's for one day!!!!
To vprunner....yes, wasn't it nice for Matthew???...and agree with you, the city deserves something like this, even if it's just for a day. Hey, a win is a win....very GUTSY performance by Matthew. Think he might be a good one. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU, AND TO ALL!!!!
I second that very first sentence. Never thought I'd say this, but I wish I'd been able to watch this game. I did see the last sequence though. If Stafford can bring his skill in the pro game up to match his toughness and desire to win, I think the Lions might have finally found their quarterback.
But let's not forget Brady Quinn, either. He had a pretty good game himself, and with some better defensive play, the win would have gone to him. It's a shame that the lack of talent and politicking going on in the Browns organization (allegedly they benched him to keep from having to make good on a contract stipulation that would have earned him extra money) is keeping him from succeeding.
Now if the Lions could only come up
with a rookie owner we might have some-
thing.
Now if the Lions could only come up
with a rookie owner manybe we might
have something.
ONCE AGAIN THE REF'S GAVE DETROIT A ERALY CHRISTMAS PRESENT. HELL THEY BEEN GIVING GIFTS ALL YEAR. THE NFL DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT.