Defense leads Detroit Lions to win over Arizona in opener

The Detroit Lions opened their 2017 season with a conference win on Sunday, defeating the Arizona Cardinals at home, 35-17.

The Detroit Lions‘ (1-0) defense led the way in their season opening win on Sunday, 35-17 over the visiting Arizona Cardinals (0-1).

The Cardinals jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead on an 82-yard interception return by Justin Bethel and a field goal set up by a botched punt by rookie Kasey Redfern.

The Lions responded with an interception by Glover Quin in the second quarter which led to a six-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Marvin Jones. The ensuing extra point was botched by Jake Rudock, who was filling in for the injured Redfern, and left the Lions down 10-6. A 58-yard field goal by Matt Prater cut the lead to one at halftime.

The Cardinals opened the second half by launching a 12-play, 94-yard drive, capped off by a three-yard Kerwynn Williams touchdown run to increase their lead to 17-9, but the Lions responded with four touchdowns in the next 15 minutes.

Stafford hit Theo Riddick for a seven-yard score to cut the lead to 17-15 after the two-point conversion failed. Stafford then found third-round rookie Kenny Golladay on two touchdown passes of 10 and 45 yards to increase the lead to 28-17 in the fourth quarter. On the very next play from scrimmage, Miles Killebrew intercepted Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to put the Lions up by 18 with 4:13 left in the game.

Palmer threw a touchdown to J.J. Nelson with 1:33 left to trim the final score to 35-23.

Detroit defense stifles Arizona offense

The Lions’ defense was dominant in all facets on Sunday, intercepting Palmer three times and causing two fumbles by Cardinals’ running back David Johnson, one of which was recovered by Detroit.

Johnson left the game in the third quarter with an injury after gaining only 23 yards on 11 carries. The Cardinals ran for 45 yards on 18 carries as a team.

In the passing game, the Lions defended 11 passes and hit Palmer seven times, sacking him once. First-round rookie linebacker Jarrad Davis led the team with nine tackles in his debut. Second-year defensive end Anthony Zettel had a sack and two tackles for loss.

Special teams problems plague Lions early

The Lions were without a punter before the first quarter ended when rookie Kasey Redfern fumbled a snap and took a shot while trying to advance the ball. He left the game with a knee injury and did not return. As a result, the Lions had to deploy rookie Jake Rudock as the holder on their first extra point attempt, which he fumbled.

Veteran kicker Matt Prater filled in for Redfern at punter, averaging 34.8 yards on four punts with a long of 47 yards.

Redfern had been with the Lions during camp and was replacing the injured Sam Martin, who is currently on the Lions’ NFI list.

Return man Dwayne Washington attempted to return a kick from deep in his own endzone the ball bounced around in the endzone and was tackled before reaching the 10-yard line.

Stafford shakes off early miscues, connects with rookie Golladay

Stafford threw a pick-six on his first throw of the season and was called for an intentional grounding on the next drive, but he finished the game 29 of 41 for 292 yards and four touchdowns, including two to rookie Kenny Golladay.

Golladay caught four passes for 69 yards in his debut, including 10 and 45-yard touchdowns which put the Lions ahead and increased their lead to 28-17 in the fourth quarter. Golden Tate led all Detroit receivers with 107 yards on 10 catches.

Elsewhere in the NFC North

The reigning NFC champion Atlanta Falcons (1-0) held off the Chicago Bears (0-1) at the end, winning 23-17. The Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks were scoreless in the second quarter. The Minnesota Vikings will face the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football at 7:10 p.m. on ESPN.

Up Next

The Lions will be on national television next week as they visit the New York Giants on Monday night at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Home/Detroit Lions