Sep

10

Detroit Lions prevail over Oakland Raiders 36-21

Posted by Kevin Mack

September 10, 2007 |

Detroit Lions survive Oakland Raiders and ex-QB
The Lions brought back some bad memories for your ‘Lion Eyes’ blogger yesterday. On their 2nd drive they moved right down the field with a passing attack that had many wide open receivers against the NFL’s #1 ranked pass defense in 2006. But when they had Josh McCown and Josh Kitnagobbled up 95 yards on the drive QB Jon Kitna let loose of a pass that was easily intercepted by Oakland Raider Linebacker Kirk Morrison.
Photo Source Detroit News
After that the Lions played very well offensively and scored 17 unanswered points before the bad memories reared their ugly head again. The Oakland Raiders with ex-Lions QB Josh McCown performing well led a very efficient 6 play 62 yard drive in just over 2 minutes. Shortly thereafter Stanford Routt picked off another Kitna pass when Lions wide receiver Roy Williams had the ball hit him in the hands, after he slipped, and deflected over his shoulder. Routt returned the pick 31 yards to setup a short field for the Raiders 2nd touchdown in 3 minutes. Then 1/2 way through the 4th quarter McCown led the Raiders on 8 play 70 yard drive and hit Justin Griffith with a 7 yard TD pass. All of a sudden the 17-0 Lions lead had disappeared and became a 21-20 deficit with 7 and 1/2 minutes remaining. I know I was thinking how can they lose this game.

The bad memories ended there. Jon Kitna led the Lions right back on a 7 play 80 drive in 3 and 1/2 minutes culminating in a 32 yd TD pass to Shaun McDonald who was wide open in the end zone. The Lions tried a 2 point conversion but failed. Very soon after the Lions go ahead TD Josh McCown had a pass intercepted by Lions defensive end Dewayne White during a zone blitz. The Lions added a field goal to make it an 8 point game at the 2 minute warning. The next possession brought a ‘Hat Trick’ from White, he registered a sack, forced a fumble and recovered the fumble when he hit McCown’s arm just as he was getting ready to be really sacked by Shaun Rogers. After the Lion recovery, Tatum Bell finished the scoring with a 14 yard scamper to the end zone and the Lions left McAfee Coliseum in 1st Place in the NFC North. They head back to Detroit to begin preparing to face the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday at Ford Field at 4:05 Eastern.
Complete NFL Game Statistical Summary can be seen here.
National Football League Game Summary Source: NFL

Some highlights from the Statistical Summary.

Lions                                                                 Raiders

Rushing Leaders
Tatum Bell 15 carries 87 yards                   |   LaMont Jordan 15 carries 70 yards 

Pass Receiving
                                                               
 Shaun McDonald 6 catches 90 yds 1 TD     |   Ronald Curry 10 catches 133 yds
 Mike Furrey 5 catches 52 yds                    |   LaMont Jordan 9 catches 89 yds
 Calvin Johnson 4 catches 70 yds 1 TD       | Justin Griffith  3 catches  21 yds 1 TD
 Roy Williams 4 catches 20 yds 1 TD

Passing

Jon Kitna 36 att 27 com 289 yds                 | Josh McCown 40 att 30 com 313 yds

2 int 3 TD 102.7 rating 2 sacks                    | 2 int 2 TD 93.0 rating 

If you haven’t already let me know how many wins you think the Lions can achieve, please go to this previous post and vote. If your like me after the opening game win you will probably add a few wins to the total.
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Comments

2 Comments so far

  1. Darin on September 10, 2007 8:31 pm

    The thing I saw out of the team that really impressed me was the attitude on the sidelines in the 4th quarter. This team never quit. When Oakland took the lead the Lions took the field looking like they were still going to win the game and that look has been missing for quite some time. I don’t wanna get my hopes up, but it feels good to get that first win out of the way!

  2. Michael Keating on September 11, 2007 7:00 am

    Hi Darin, thanks for the comment. I agree with you on the improved attitude, it appears that the Marinelli disciples are getting control of the team. I hope they can keep the good start going with a win at home on Sunday.

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