By Josh Katzenstein
The Detroit News
The Lions still have a knack for late-game heroics.
Wide receiver Titus Young caught a one-yard touchdown with 20 seconds left to help the Lions (3-4) overcome a late deficit and beat the Seattle Seahawks, 28-24, Sunday afternoon at Ford Field.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford silenced some critics during the win, going 34 of 48 for 352 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
Stafford also ran for a one-yard touchdown with 11:35 remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Lions a 21-17 lead, but the Seahawks (4-4) quickly answered on their next drive.
After the Seahawks converted a fourth down in Lions territory, they scored on a 16-yard pass from Russell Wilson to tight end Zach Miller to grab a 24-21 lead.
But the Seahawks left 5:27 on the clock, and the Lions put together a perfect drive for the situation that took nearly the rest of the game. And with just 20 seconds left, the Seahawks couldn’t come up with a miracle.
The Lions defense struggled early and allowed 17 points on the Seahawks’ first three drives, but they allowed just seven points in the second half.
On Seattle’s first offensive drive, an illegal formation penalty by Willie Young on a punt gave the Seahawks a first down and allowed them to drive for a field goal by Steven Hauschka.
The Lions grabbed a 7-3 lead on the next drive with a six-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to rookie wide receiver Ryan Broyles. The touchdown came as the first quarter expired and was the Lions’ first touchdown in a first quarter this season.
The lead, though, didn’t last long. Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch ran for a 77-yard touchdown on the first play of their next drive. He finished with 12 carries for 105 yards.
The Lions followed with a three-and-out, but the Seahawks offense just kept cruising. On their third drive, Wilson attacked Lions rookie cornerback Jonte Green, who was flagged for a 41-yard pass interference. The call led to an eventual nine-yard touchdown pass to Sidney Rice to give the Seahawks a 17-7 lead early in the second quarter.
The Lions responded on the next drive with the play of the day. Wide receiver Titus Young beat two defensive backs on the right side, and Stafford threw a perfect ball that hit him in stride as he crossed the goal line, a 46-yard touchdown pass. Young finished with a game-high nine catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Lions safety Louis Delmas left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury and didn’t return.
The Lions will try to win consecutive games for the first time this season when they go to Jacksonville next Sunday.