subject: Detroit Lions Tickets - Lions Defeat Skins 19-14 [print this page] The Detroit Lions finally snapped a 19-game losing streak when they defeated the Washington Redskins 19-14. Lions owner William Clay Ford said his organization not only got the monkey off their back, "we got King Kong off our back." The Lions (1-2) had not won a game since December 23, 2007, which was the second-longest losing streak in NFL history (Tampa Bay holds the record with 26 straight losses). Detroit lost every game last season and earned the No. 1 pick in the draft. The Lions selected Matthew Stafford, hoping he would be the franchise quarterback it has lacked for decades. Get Detroit Lions tickets and see Stafford throw a touchdown pass. Detroit has won only one playoff game and had one Pro Bowl quarterback since winning the 1957 Championship game.
Stafford hit Bryant Johnson for a 21-yard score in the first quarter. In the fourth quarter, the rookie quarterback drew a 47-yard pass interference penalty to set up another touchdown and did not turn the ball over. Stafford threw two picks in his first two games. Although Washington doesn't have a long losing streak, the team certainly has plenty of problems. The Redskins (1-2) got within five points on Jason Campbell's second TD pass with 2:36 left on the clock. However, the Lions managed the clock well as they picked up a first down and used up all of the Skins' timeouts. Washington had one more chance to win the football game from their 22 with 1:05 left. But the Skins failed to get the ball in the end zone.
Washington had opportunities to win the game, but fell short. Redskin coach Jim Zorn decided to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1 on Washington's first drive. Clinton Portis rushed the ball and was stopped. Zone said he did not think the Skins would be denied getting in the end zone. The coach also thought Detroit wouldn't be able to drive 99 yards for a score against his team. On 12 plays and nearly 6 minutes, the Lions marched 99 yards on an impressive drive that ended with Johnson's awesome catch on a high throw in the end zone from Stafford. On that drive, Zorn accepted a penalty instead of leaving the Lions with a 50-yard kick. Stafford made the Skin pay.
The rookie ducked to avoid a sack and jetted 21 yards to convert a third-and -13. He threw a touchdown pass on the next play. Zorn was already in hot water after last week's unimpressive 9-7 win over the St. Louis Rams. The loss against the Lions only adds more speculation about Zorn's job security. Redskins tackle Albert Haynesworth was asked if the skins "still support Zorn." He said he couldn't speak for the team, but he supports the coach. The defensive tackle added that it doesn't matter "if Joe Gibbs was here or any All-Star coach, they are going to point fingers." Lions running back Kevin Smith rushed for 101 yards before leaving the game with an injured right shoulder. 40,896 Lions' fans attended the game at Ford Field.
