Lions QB Stafford shines in blowout win over Eagles

(The Sports Xchange) – Matthew Stafford threw five touchdown passes, three to Calvin Johnson, and the revived Detroit Lions won their third straight match by walloping the Philadelphia Eagles 45-14 on Thursday at Ford Field.

Stafford completed 27 of 38 passes for 337 yards for the Lions (4-7), who have also won three consecutive U.S. Thanksgiving Day games.

Johnson, who tied his career high with his three touchdown grabs, caught eight passes for 93 yards. He has an NFL-record 11 TD receptions on Thanksgiving and at least one for seven consecutive seasons.

Running back Theo Riddick and wide receiver Golden Tate hauled in Stafford’s other scoring passes. Running back Joique Bell added a rushing touchdown.

Detroit defensive end Ziggy Ansah recorded a career-high 3 1/2 sacks and recovered a fumble.

Mark Sanchez passed for 199 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles (4-7), who gave up 45 points for the second time in five days and lost their third straight. Sanchez started in place of Sam Bradford, who was inactive for the second consecutive game because of a concussion and separated left shoulder.

The Lions led 24-7 at halftime.

Stafford connected with Riddick on an eight-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter. Riddick had a 23-yard catch earlier in the drive.

Philadelphia tied it during the opening minute of the second quarter. Sanchez found tight end Brent Celek for a two-yard score on third-and-goal to cap off an 80-yard drive.

The Lions took a 14-7 lead midway on their next possession on Stafford’s two-yard scoring pass to Tate, who snuck out of the backfield and juked a defender for a walk in touchdown.

Matt Prater’s 48-yard field goal gave Detroit a 10-point lead before Stafford’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Johnson came with 12 seconds left in the half. Johnson got past rookie cornerback Eric Rowe, who replaced injured Nolan Carroll earlier in the half.

Johnson defeated Rowe on one-on-one coverage on a four-yard, back-shoulder toss from Stafford to make it 31-7. Following a Sanchez turnover, Johnson beat safety Malcolm Jenkins on a three-yard catch for his third score.

(Editing by Frank Pingue)