Detroit Lions blow big lead, tie Cardinals in season opener

The Detroit Lions coughed up a big lead to the Arizona Cardinals in their season opener, earning a 27-27 tie.

Rest assured, Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia will be asked about it all week. From his look on the sideline, he might not even know what happened.

The Arizona Cardinals erased an 18-point fourth quarter deficit, earning a 27-27 tie with the Lions in both teams’ opener on Sunday. It’s the first Lions game to end in a tie since 1984.

Leading 24-16, the Lions completed a screen pass to running back J.D. McKissic with 2:47 left in the fourth quarter, which picked up a Lions first down. The Cardinals, with no timeouts left, would not have been able to stop the clock. However, a Lions timeout call before the snap negated the play. It was unclear who called the timeout.

Unable to pick up a first down on the next play, the Lions punted, only to have Sam Martin’s attempt blocked, giving the Cardinals favorable field position. Murray found 16-year veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald for a 4-yard touchdown. A subsequent two-point conversion tied the game. Neither team scored again in regulation, leading to overtime.

After the Cardinals won the OT coin toss and elected to receive the ball, they and the Lions exchanged field goals. Neither team would score again, and the Lions begin their season with a draw, which likely feels much more like a loss.

Despite a slow start, Cardinals rookie quarterback helped rally his team in his NFL debut. He finished 29/54 for 308 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

In their first game under new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, the Lions produced just three points on their first four drives, on a 55-yard field goal from Matt Prater. On the second play of their next drive, quarterback Matthew Stafford found receiver Danny Amendola streaking down the right sideline for a 47-yard touchdown, the Lions’ first of the year.

The Lions then capped a nine play, 95-yard, drive with a 9-yard touchdown reception by receiver Kenny Golladay. They went into halftime with a 17-3 lead, outgaining the Cardinals 242-58 in total yards.

Stafford finished 27/45 for 385 yards and three touchdowns. He was sacked three times, including once on the Lions’ final overtime drive, essentially squashing any hopes of a last second win.

Rookie tight end T.J. Hockenson had a sparkling debut for the Lions, hauling in six catches for 131 yards and a touchdown.

The Lions will look to rebound as they host the Los Angeles Chargers in their home opener next Sunday, September 8th at 1:00 P.M. EST.

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