SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 9, 2012
Lions 27, Rams 23: Matthew Stafford overcame a horrendous start by throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Smith with 10 seconds left, helping host Detroit hold off an upset bid from Jeff Fisher-led St. Louis.
Smith also ran for 62 yards and a touchdown for Detroit (1-0), which overcame Stafford's three interceptions and denied Fisher a win over his long-time assistant Jim Schwartz.
Free-agent addition Cortland Finnegan returned an interception for a touchdown and Brandon Gibson had a touchdown catch for St. Louis (0-1). Fisher, who returned from a one-year absence after 17 seasons at the helm of the Tennessee Titans, watched his club nearly pull off the upset as it looks to turn things around after a 2-14 showing a season ago.
Rookie Greg Zuerlein's third field goal gave St. Louis a 23-20 lead with 1:55 left, but Stafford capped a nine-play, 80-yard drive with the toss to Smith.
It was the 19th straight game that Stafford threw at least one touchdown pass. He finished 32-of-48 for 355 yards.
Calvin Johnson, who led the NFL in receving last season, finished with six catches for 111 yards.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Stafford completed a pass to himself late in the third quarter after Eugene Sims batted the ball at the line of scrimmage. He gained three yards. กญ Schwartz chatted with his former boss Fisher before the game. Schwartz served as an assistant under Fisher for 10 years in Tennessee. กญ Due to the referee lockout, replacement official Shannon Eastin became the first female referee in NFL history. ... Rams third-year offensive lineman Roger Saffold suffered a neck injury on an awkward play while blocking during Gibson's TD catch. A hush fell over the crowd as he was strapped on to a stretcher.