GAME RECAP:  Cleveland Browns 19 Detroit Lions 17

SCOREBOARD	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	FINAL
BROWNS	0	3	7	9	19
LIONS	7	7	0	3	17

SCORING SUMMARY:

First Quarter  DET - TD Williams 5-yard run [Hanson Kick], 1:00. Second Quarter  CLE - FG Dawson 37-yards, 7:21.  DET - TD Logan 3-yard pass from Hill [Hanson Kick], 2:10. Third Quarter  CLE - TD Smelley 12-yard pass from Wallace [Wolfert Kick], 8:10. Fourth Quarter  DET - FG Dimke 40-yards, 10:25.  CLE - TD Thomas 3-yard run [2-pt conv failed], 2:39.  CLE - FG Wolfert 45-yards, 0:28.

NFL.com Game Links:    Game Center    Game Info    Drive Chart    Highlights

DETROIT LIONS GAME BALLS:

Bill Bentley	Keiland Williams	Willie Young
Burned early but came on later with a nice pass breakup and an interception	Strong showing with nine carries for 71 yards and the first score of the preseason	Defensive end gets a sack and forced fumble in limited action as starter

TEAM STATISTICS
1st Downs	20	21
Rushing	6	10
Passing	13	10
Penalty	1	1
3rd-Down Conversions	5-16	3-13
4th-Down Conversions	1-1	1-1
Punts-Average	5-46.2	7-38.6
Return Yards	179	82
Punts-Returns	2-52	1--2
Kickoffs-Returns	4-102	3-75
Int.-Returns	2-25	1-9
Penalties-Yards	8-55	1-15
Fumbles-Lost	1-1	0-0
Time Of Pos.	28:31	31:29
">Total Net Yards	429	368
Total Plays	71	67
Average Gain	6.0	5.5
Net Yards Rushing	120	198
Rushes	30	33
Avg. Per Rush	4.0	6.0
Net Yards Passing	309	170
Comp.-Att.	21-38	16-33
Yards Per Pass	7.5	5.0
Sacked-Yards Lost	3-17	1-4
Had Intercepted	1	2
Touchdowns	2	2
Rushing	1	1
Passing	1	1
Other	0	0
Extra Points	1-2	2-2
Kicking	1-1	2-2
Other	0-1	0-0
Field Goals	2-3	1-2
Red Zone Efficiency	2-3-66%	2-2-100%
Goal To Go Efficiency	1-1-100%	2-2-100%
Safeties	0	0

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATS:

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

GAME SUMMARY:

The Lions opened their 2012 preseason with a 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns as the visitors won on a late field goal. Quarterback Matt Stafford and the starters played three series and didn't score while the fourth year quarterback threw an interception. His backup, Shaun Hill, did lead the Lions on two touchdown drives and a 14-3 advantage at the half. In the second half the Lions scored just one field goal while the Browns reserves put up 16 points in their comeback victory. Lions undrafted rookie quarterback Kellen Moore threw an interceptions with 34 second left which effectively ended the game.

"We learn from the good stuff and the bad stuff," Lions quarterback Matt Stafford said.

One person who seemed to learn quickly was rookie cornerback Bill Bentley. The rookie got burned by rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden on a 34-yard pass early in the first quarter after being named a starter. But Bentley showed resilience by breaking up a pass and intercepting another. It was a much needed confidence boost to a questionable Lions secondary.

"Let's be clear: preseason games, we don't use them as a barometer," Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said. "But you want to play well and I don't think we played well on offense, defense or special teams from the beginning to the very end."

The Lions didn't appear to suffer any major injuries, always the most important outcome of any preseason game.

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson looks to continue his dominance in 2012.

NEXT GAME:

The Detroit Lions travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens next Friday at 7:00 PM.

DISCUSS THE GAME:  In the Jungle - Hard Hitting Lionbacker Forum.

Written by: Paul Donaghy, Senior Writer