JACKSONVILLE, Fla .– Elusive touchdown pass, breakout performance, defensive rebound and head coach reprieve
It was a win the Detroit Lions probably needed more than they would admit It could even serve as a turning point for the season
Rookie D’Andre Swift ran for a career-high 116 yards and two touchdowns, Matthew Stafford got a TD pass against the only team he hadn’t pitched one against in 12 seasons in the NFL and the Lions hammered the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars 34-16 on Sunday
“I thought our guys handled really well the last couple of weeks, ignored everything and just went out and played and played aggressively,” said under-siege Lions coach Matt Patricia, who didn’t won only for the third time in their last 18 games
Detroit (2-3) made this one easy, somewhat surprising given the Lions had lost six in a row in which they were leading in double digits They’ve done it three times this season already, falling apart in losses against Chicago, Green Bay and New Orleans
Surely it helped that this one came against Jacksonville (1-5), who has now lost five in a row and allowed at least 30 points in each This is the first time in franchise history that the Jaguars do this, seemingly jeopardizing the jobs of coach Doug Marrone and defensive coordinator Todd Wash
« I will not be one of those who say this is not something that can happen, » said Marrone « We see what’s going on around the league I agree that »
Patricia can breathe quietly for at least a week after tempering speculation about her future with the franchise
“Our job is to go play and not pay attention to everything that is going on,” Stafford said “We don’t live in a bubble – at least not yet All of this is apparent and around and whatever , but it’s our job to play at a high level «
Stafford completed 19 of 31 passes for 223 yards, with an interception on a flipped pass His 1-yard touchdown to TJ Hockenson came in fourth and was his first against Jacksonville, the last team away from Detroit against which Stafford had not launched one
Kenny Golladay finished with four receptions for 105 yards and Swift had an eye-opening performance The Georgia rookie displayed power, speed and elusiveness while improving to 4-0 at EverBank Field His Bulldogs have won three straight victories over rival Florida at the NFL website
It was the first time since 2013 that Detroit produced a 100-yard rusher and a 100-yard receiver in the same game
The Lions set the tone early, becoming the fourth opponent in six games to score a touchdown on their first possession against Jacksonville
They were even better on the other side of the ball, with the league’s lowest-ranked run defense pushing James Robinson and pressure Gardner Minshew in two turnovers
« We are really frustrated » said Minshew « This sort of thing sounds like the same story every week: » Alright, what’s our solution? What is our solution? « We must start to find her »
Adrian Peterson notched his 82nd game with at least one touchdown inning, shattering a fourth place with Hall of Famer Walter Payton ahead of Emmitt Smith (117), Marcus Allen (92) and LaDainian Tomlinson (92)
Jaguars kicker Jon Brown was part of history and a trend Brown was the team’s fifth different kicker in as many weeks, setting an NFL record He also hit the right on a 31-yard attempt, becoming the fifth different guy to miss a kick for Jacksonville in five straight losses
Josh Lambo, Brandon Wright, Aldrick Rosas, Stephen Hauschka and Brown each missed an extra point or at least a basket
Lions: Rookie defensive end Julian Okwara limped off the pitch due to a leg injury Two starting offensive linemen left due to dehydration Right tackle Tyrell Crosby and right guard Halapoulivvti Vaitai each received fluids
« Fairly damp in here, » Patricia said « Fairly damp We may have had more than two IV sessions »
Jaguars: Linebacker Myles Jack (ankle), guard AJ Cann (right shoulder), tight end Tyler Eifert (neck) and safety Jarrod Wilson (hamstrings) have left the game
As they have been doing all season, players from Detroit and Jacksonville stayed in their locker rooms for the national anthem The Lions had 30 players lined up along the goal line for the anthem, seven d ‘between them – including Stafford – taking a knee The Jaguars stayed together in the locker room
The Lions play next Sunday in Atlanta, which has won four of the last five meetings
Jaguars travel the country to face the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday The Chargers have won seven of the last eight games, including 45-10 last December
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World news – United States – Stafford, Swift and Lions protect big lead, hammer Jaguars 34-16
