Lions Top Redskins 20-17 On Stafford's TD Pass To Boldin
By LARRY LAGE/AP Sports Writer
DETROIT (AP) - Matthew Stafford threw a go-ahead, 18-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin with 16 seconds left to lift the Detroit Lions to a 20-17 win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
The Lions (4-3) extended their winning streak to three games.
The Redskins (4-3) had won four straight.
Stafford, who set up game-winning kicks in the previous two games, led his team to another win in the 100th game of his career. He was 18 of 29 for 266 yards, one TD and no turnovers.
Kirk Cousins scored a go-ahead TD on a 19-yard run with 1:05 left.
The Redskins, though, failed to stop Stafford from throwing or running on his last possession and could not overcome mistakes that included turnovers, a missed field goal and penalties.
Cousins looked like he was going to make up for a lost fumble in the third quarter when he put Washington ahead. He faked a handoff to Chris Thompson, tucked the ball away and ran to the right around the outside to score against a defense that didn't expect him to be carrying the ball in a critical situation. Cousins finished 30 of 39 for 301 yards with a TD and a fumble.
Detroit's Zach Zenner scored on a 1-yard run midway through the third quarter against a defense that hadn't given up a TD in nine quarters, giving Detroit a 10-3 lead.
Both teams lost their top cornerback to an injury during the game.
Washington's Josh Norman was knocked out of the game with a concussion, landing hard on his left shoulder after giving up a 52-yard pass to Marvin Jones in the third quarter. Detroit's Darius Slay left the game with a hamstring injury in the second quarter.
COSTLY FUMBLES:
Detroit made field goals after each of Washington's lost fumbles, including Matt Jones' into the Lions end zone early in the game. Jones appeared to move down on the depth chart after the turnover as Thompson and Robert Kelley got more carries.
LUCKY BOUNCE
Stafford completed a 16-yard pass to Golden Tate in the first quarter that bounced off the back of Bashaud Breeland.
INJURY REPORT
The Redskins were without standout tight end Jordan Reed for a second straight game because of a concussion. Vernon Davis replaced him in the lineup and had season highs with six receptions and 77 yards. Detroit's banged-up backfield, which is missing Dwayne Washington (ankle) and Theo Riddick (ankle), created an opportunity for Justin Forsett to play a larger role in his second game with the team. Forsett was given the ball on four straight plays at one point and finished with eight carries for 33 yards and two receptions for 15 yards.
UP NEXT
The Redskins play Cincinnati in London.
Detroit hits the road to face Houston after being at home for three straight games.
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