GAME RECAP:  Detroit Lions 27 St. Louis Rams 23

SCOREBOARD	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	FINAL
RAMS	3	10	0	10	23
LIONS	0	10	3	14	27

SCORING SUMMARY:

First Quarter  STL - Greg Zuerlein makes a 48 yard kick. Drive: 10 plays, 36 yards in 5:49. Second Quarter  DET - Joique Bell runs for 1 yard (Jason Hanson kick is good). Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards in 7:31.  STL - Greg Zuerlein makes a 29 yard kick. Drive: 8 plays, 33 yards in 4:30.  STL - Cortland Finnegan makes a 31 yard interception return (Greg Zuerlein kick is good).  DET - Jason Hanson makes a 41 yard kick. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards in 1:08. Third Quarter  DET - Jason Hanson makes a 45 yard kick. Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards in 2:54. Fourth Quarter  STL - Brandon Gibson catches a 23 yard pass from Sam Bradford (Greg Zuerlein kick is good). Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards in 2:42.  DET - Kevin Smith runs for 5 yards (Jason Hanson kick is good). Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards in 2:26.  STL - Greg Zuerlein makes a 46 yard kick. Drive: 13 plays, 52 yards in 5:24.  DET - Kevin Smith catches a 5 yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson kick is good). Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards in 1:45.

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DETROIT LIONS GAME BALLS:

Matt Stafford	Kevin Smith	Justin Durant
Horrific start, terrific end for the Lions quarterback to win with 10 ticks left	No Best, no Leshoure, no problem as former 3rd round pick scores twice in 4th	LB lead the defense with seven solo and five assist in group effort against Rams

TEAM STATISTICS	BILLS	LIONS
1st Downs	14	28
Rushing	4	5
Passing	10	23
Penalty	0	0
3rd-Down Conversions	4-12	4-9
4th-Down Conversions	0-0	0-0
Punts-Average	5-48.2	3-40.3
Return Yards	138	72
Punts-Returns	1-6	5-53
Kickoffs-Returns	1-25	2-19
Int.-Returns	3-107	0-0
Penalties-Yards	7-65	3-27
Fumbles-Lost	2-0	0-0
Time Of Pos.	30:06	29:54
">Total Net Yards	251	429
Total Plays	55	67
Average Gain	4.6	6.4
Net Yards Rushing	78	83
Rushes	27	18
Avg. Per Rush	2.9	4.6
Net Yards Passing	173	346
Comp.-Att.	17-25	32-48
Yards Per Pass	6.2	7.1
Sacked-Yards Lost	3-25	1-9
Had Intercepted	0	3
Touchdowns	2	3
Rushing	0	2
Passing	1	1
Other	1	0
Extra Points	2-2	3-3
Kicking	2-2	3-3
Field Goals	3-3	2-2
Red Zone Efficiency	0-1-0%	3-5-60%
Goal To Go Efficiency	0-0-0%	3-4-75%
Safeties	0	0

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATS:

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

GAME SUMMARY:

Matt Stafford threw a touchdown pass for the 19th straight game, this time he reached milestone with just ten seconds left. The Lions franchise quarterback had started the game with three interceptions, but he ended it with a score that would seal a Lions 27-23 in their opener. Everyone can take a collective breath as the Lions again look to be the kings of the 4th quarter comeback. It was an awful day for the Lions signal caller until he had a chance to put all his problems behind him and he delivered with a short pass to running back Kevin Smith that won the Lions the game. It would be Smith's second touchdown of the quarter filling in for a number of Lions running backs who missed the opener. Stafford would end a busy day going 32-18 for 355-yards and the winning score.

Detroit would open the game by marching down the field as Stafford spread he ball out efficiently. As the Lions were about to score, Stafford threw an interception right on the goal line. The Rams would march it down the field before having to settle for a field goal, the only points of the first half. Joique Bell would get only one carry in front of his home team fans, but he would make the most of it scoring his first career touchdown and giving the Lions the lead early in the second quarter. Stafford would throw interceptions to end the Lions next two drives. On the third, Cortland Finnegan would return the throw 31 yards for the score. Each team would add a second quarter field goal but despite leading all the stats the Lions found themselves trailing at the half.

Jason Hanson would add his second field goal of the game in the third quarter, the only score setting up a dramatic final quarter. Brandon Gibson 23-yard grab from Sam Bradford would give the visitors the momentum early in the 4th. Hanson would tack on three more for the Lions followed by a Rams field goal. With under two minutes to play and 80-yards away from pay dirt Stafford and the Lions went to work. With Calvin Johnson and Tony Scheffler doing most of the work, it would be Kevin Smith filling in for an injured Jahvid Best and suspended Mikel Leshoure who would make the most of his opportunity. Having run for a five yard touchdown earlier in the quarter, Smith would catch a five yard pass from Stafford who redeemed himself from an awful day. It wasn't pretty, but it was a win.

It was one of those games that good teams win even if they don't play well. The Lions (1-0) travel to San Francisco for the late game next week.

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

The Lions put up a banner to represent a rare trip to the playoffs in 2012.

NEXT GAME:

The Detroit Lions travel to San Francisco next Sunday, September 16 at to face the 49ers 8:20 PM.

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

Written by: Paul Donaghy, Senior Writer