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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) -- Daniel Snyder's trophy collection got a
bit corroded Sunday.
Snyder's $100 million Redskins were beaten 15-10 Sunday by
Detroit as the Lions capitalized on major mistakes by Deion Sanders
and another future Hall of Famer, Bruce Smith.
|  | | Jason Hanson's 54-yarder in the third quarter gave the Lions a 9-7 lead. |
Jason Hanson kicked five field goals, including a 54-yarder that
might have been good at 60 yards. The defense sealed the win with
four interceptions of Brad Johnson, three in the final quarter and
one with 48 seconds left by Terry Fair.
But Sanders and Smith were another reason for the defeat.
Much of the yardage that Detroit gained came on throws toward
Sanders, staying away from second-year-man Champ Bailey on the
other side. Bailey had two interceptions, one of them a one-hand
grab at the Washington 6 late in the half on a ball that went
through Herman Moore's hands.
"They came at me every which way they could," Sanders said.
"This is the worst I've ever played in my 12-year career. I don't
remember being this bad, giving up this many catches. How many
yards did they have passing? Two hundred yards? That's all? About
180 of it was mine."
Both Smith and Sanders had key penalties on Detroit's drive for
its final field goal -- Sanders a 15-yard facemask call after
Charlie Batch's pass to Johnnie Morton and Smith a dubious
roughing-the-passer call that kept the drive alive after an
incomplete pass on third-and-17. Smith appeared to be in the air as
Batch released the ball.
"I'm still befuddled over the call," Smith said. "He (referee
Jeff Triplette) told me I can't leave my feet. I've never heard of
that call before."
Sanders even made a mistake on a punt with two minutes left,
failing to catch a ball that rolled another 10 yards and forced the
Redskins to start their final drive from their own 11.
"We didn't design a game plan that said 'Let's throw against
Deion.' That would be stupid," Detroit coach Bobby Ross said.
"But we felt we had to be very aggressive, so we had to go against
him. The other guy's no treat. That Bailey kid is unbelievable."
"It was in our plan that if my reads took me in that direction,
that's where I was going," Batch said. "You can't totally avoid
him -- not as good as the rest of that secondary is."
The Detroit defense, meanwhile, limited Washington's offense to
one touchdown. Johnson was 23-of-35 for 245 yards with those four
interceptions, one on a ball thrown so high and off target that
Lions safety Kurt Schulz probably could have called a fair catch on
the play.
Batch, playing his first game after missing all of the preseason
with a broken knee bone, was 16-of-31 for 194 yards and was
intercepted twice.
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TOM DONAHOE'S BREAKDOWN |
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This game was a definite surprise.
Detroit obviously has a very tough defense to move the football against. The Lions' front seven played extremely well, and Detroit got good play from its secondary, particularly its cornerbacks. They limited Washington's offense, which should certainly be able to score more than 10 points a game. But you have to give Detroit's defense credit.
Having Charlie Batch was a big factor for the Lions. Charlie was not as sharp as he will be once he gets some more game experience and gets comfortable moving around. He didn't have the mobility you normally expect from him, and some of that is related to his knee injury.
It's a significant win for Detroit, and a disappointing loss for the Redskins. But the Silverdome has been a difficult place to play over the years.
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"Sometimes, the first time out after having not played you
actually play better," said Washington coach Norv Turner, whose
expertise is tutoring quarterbacks. "There's not a lot of pressure
on you. You're certainly fresh. You're relaxed."
The win was the second straight in the regular season by the
Lions (2-0) over the Redskins (1-1) after 16 losses dating back to
1965. Washington beat Detroit 27-13 in the playoffs last January.
The closest Detroit got to the end zone was a play that looked
for awhile like it might tilt the game in Washington's favor.
On the first play of the second quarter, with the Lions leading
3-0, Johnson dropped back to pass and threw in the direction of
Larry Centers.
The ball was deflected and 319-pound defensive tackle Kelvin
Pritchett grabbed it, juggled it, then rumbled down the left
sideline. He dodged several tacklers and appeared to be all but in
the end zone when 326-pound guard Tre Johnson dove at his ankles
and pulled him down just inside the 1.
After two runs by James Stewart, the Lions were 2 yards away.
Then Batch's third-down pass went awry, and Detroit had to settle
for Hanson's 20-yard field goal.
On the next series, Washington went 75 yards on 13 plays, eating
up 8 minutes and 33 seconds, and went ahead on Johnson's 5-yard
third-down pass to Stephen Alexander.
Hanson put the Lions ahead 9-7 on the first drive of the third
quarter on his 54-yarder. Brett Conway countered with a 26-yarder
late in the period after Bryant Westbrook stopped Adrian Murrell
inches short of a first down at the 9.
Desmond Howard's 44-yard kickoff return set up the next score,
Hanson's 37-yard kick that made it 12-10 3:24 into the fourth
quarter.
Then came the final drive and the big mistakes by Smith and
Sanders.
Game notes
Although the Lions are 2-0, they have yet to score an
offensive touchdown. Last week, their two scores came on a kickoff
return and an interception. ... Brad Johnson's four interceptions
were the most of his career. His only three-pick game came last
season against the Eagles. ... Sunday was the first time in
Hanson's nine-year career that he had scored every point in a Lions
victory. The five field goals were one short of the team record
that he shares with Garo Yepremian. ... Detroit lost two starters
to injury. Pro Bowl linebacker Stephen Boyd left the game with a
strained back, while guard Tony Semple sprained his right ankle
when Batch stepped on it.
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ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard
Washington Clubhouse
Detroit Clubhouse
Week 2 wrap-ups
Week 2 infirmary report
TJ's Take on Week 2
Week 2 stats leaders
Prime Time Players
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