Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions Suddenly Blow Up During Slugfest

NFL News - November 22nd, 2009 - Written by John

For two of the most anemic offenses in football, the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions sure put on some fireworks on Sunday.

In a game with the day's highest point total, Detroit's Matthew Stafford threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Pettigrew as time expired to lead the Lions to a 38-37 win at home, although Cleveland covered the 4 1/2-point spread. It is the second win for the Lions in two years.

For the game, there were a combined nine touchdown passes, all to different receivers, 922 yards of total offense and a truly entertaining game that most fans in the Detroit area missed because of a blackout. Stafford has his best day as a pro, throwing for 422 yards and five touchdowns, besting Brady Quinn's 304 yards and four touchdowns.

Calvin Johnson led all receivers with seven catches and 161 yards, catching a 75-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Mohamed Massaquoi led the Browns with 115 yards on five receptions, although he was targeted 12 times.

Quinn threw three touchdowns and the teams combined for 34 points in the first quarter, nearly surmounting the over/under of 39 in the first 15 minutes, and the Lions survived 38-37. The Lions quickly broke the total-points barrier during their first possession of the second quarter with a touchdown reception by Kevin Smith.

In that first quarter, the Browns totaled 194 yards, which is 34 more than their entire total last week against the Baltimore Ravens.

Quinn's first two scores went for 59 and 40 yards, which together equaled the total passing yards against the Ravens. He started 8-for-10, spreading the ball out to five different receivers altogether. Cleveland scored on three-straight possessions to turn a 3-3 tie into a 24-3 lead with three minutes to go in the first quarter.

But Detroit answered back immediately when Stafford found Aaron Brown down the field for a 26-yard touchdown strike to make it 24-10. Stafford then drove the length of the field on his next possession and hit Smith with the aforementioned touchdown, giving the running back over 100 yards receiving on but three catches.

But the biggest play on the day came later in the second quarter when Cleveland punted and downed the ball at Detroit's six. After a quick seven-yard gain, the Browns were called for offsides twice, giving Stafford some room to breathe, and a window to begin throwing. It only took him one toss, hitting Calvin Johnson on stride to spark a 75-yard touchdown that finally tied the game in less than two minutes into the quarter.

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