Jared Goff threw two touchdown passes, David Montgomery ran for 106 yards and a score and the Detroit Lions held on late to beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-13 on Sunday.
The Lions continued their recent dominance in the series, improving to 5-0-1 against the Cardinals since 2017. Detroit's defense kept Kyler Murray and Arizona out of the end zone in the second half, giving up just one field goal.
Goff completed his first 14 passes before an incompletion in the third quarter. It was his longest streak without an incompletion to start a game in his nine-year career and he finished 18 of 23 for 196 yards.
Detroit (2-1) took a 20-7 lead just before halftime on a well-executed hook-and-ladder play. Goff threw short to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who immediately lateraled to Jahmyr Gibbs, who dashed 20 yards for the touchdown. The Lions caught a break earlier in the drive when Goff appeared to throw a pick-6, but officials ruled the play had been whistled dead just before the snap for the two-minute warning.
Detroit settled for a 20-10 lead at the break after Arizona's Matt Prater made a 42-yard field goal as time expired. Goff was 12 of 12 passing for 137 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.
Prater kicked a 45-yard field goal to cut Detroit's lead to 20-13 with 3:52 left, but the Lions were able to run out the clock on the ensuing drive. Goff scrambled for an 8-yard gain for the first down that sealed the win.
Arizona had multiple good chances to cut into Detroit's lead in the third quarter, but couldn't convert on critical plays.
The Cardinals (1-2) were driving early in the third when Murray tried to go deep to Marvin Harrison Jr., but the pass was short and intercepted by Kerby Joseph in the end zone. It was Murray's first interception this season.
A few minutes later, Arizona's Dennis Gardeck picked off a pass by Goff to give the Cardinals great field position at Detroit's 33-yard line. But the Lions' defense responded with a fourth-down stop on the ensuing drive, tackling Murray just short of a first down.
Murray finished 21 of 34 for 205 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Harrison caught five passes for 64 yards.
The Lions jumped to a 7-0 lead on the first offensive drive, methodically moving 70 yards on nine plays. Montgomery ran for the 1-yard touchdown, muscling through the line before falling backward into the end zone.
Arizona responded immediately, with Murray making a couple big gains with a his legs before hitting Harrison for a 10-yard touchdown. It was the rookie's third touchdown catch over the past two games.
St. Brown caught a 5-yard touchdown from Goff early in the second quarter to put the Lions up 13-7.
Injuries
Lions: Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) and cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (hamstring) were among six inactive players. Linebacker Derrick Barnes (knee) left in the first half and didn't return. Tight end Sam LaPorta was seen limping and came out of the game multiple times. He had ice on his right ankle.
Up Next
Lions host Seahawks on Monday, Sept. 30.
Detroit Lions leave Arizona with 20-13 win over Cardinals
After a field goal from Cardinals kicker Matt Prater, the Lions offense drained the last 3 minutes, 48 seconds of the quarter to leave Arizona with the 20-13 win.
Cardinals cut deficit down to 7 with fourth quarter field goal
Kicker Matt Prater hit a 45-yard field goal with just under four minutes left in the game to make the score 20-13 in favor of Detroit.
LaPorta carted to locker room, Arnold returns
Lions tight end Sam LaPorta was carted to the locker room at the end of the second quarter. The team said he was questionable to return with an ankle injury.
In the same quarter, Cornerback Terrion Arnold made his return to the field. Arnold had left in the first quarter with knee injury.
Cardinals' Prater kicks field goal to end the half
Cardinals kicker Matt Prater hit a 42-yard field goal to end the first half. The Lions lead 20-10.
Gibbs scores late second quarter touchdown
The Lions are up 20-7 after a 20-yard touchdown reception by Jahmyr Gibbs with 29 seconds left in the second quarter.
Terrion Arnold, Derrick Barnes questionable to return
The Lions say rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold and linebacker Derrick Barnes are both questionable to return after sustaining knee injuries. Arnold left the game in the first quarter and Barnes was carted off the field in the second.
Amon-Ra St. Brown puts the Lions ahead
Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught a 10-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jared Goff in the second quarter. Detroit leads 13-7 after a missed extra point from kicker Jake Bates, the first of his NFL career.
Cardinals respond quickly with passing touchdown
Following the Lions first touchdown, the Cardinals quickly responded with one of their own thanks to a 10-yard reception from rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The score is now 7-7.
Lions score touchdown on first drive of the game
David Montgomery finished off a successful first drive for the Lions with a 1-yard rushing touchdown. The Lions take an early 7-0 lead with just over 10 minutes left in the first quarter.
Terrion Arnold, Graham Glasgow active today
Lions Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold and guard Graham Glasgow active for today's game. Arnold was questionable due to illness while Glasgow was questionable with a knee injury.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone is inactive.
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