ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) – Until the final half-minute of their season opener, the Detroit Lions seemed to be following last year’s script. They’d let a sizeable lead slip away and were on the verge of a tough loss on the road.
Matthew Stafford’s final drive changed the outlook entirely.
Detroit came away with a 39-35 win at Indianapolis on Sunday, so instead of bemoaning a defensive collapse that let the Colts back in the game, the Lions can rejoice over a close win. In their first game since Calvin Johnson’s retirement, they had 28 first downs and 448 yards of offense.
The Lions will have a chance to build on their win when they play their home opener Sunday against a Tennessee team that won only three games a season ago and lost to Minnesota on Sunday.
