Recap: Lions 38, Chargers 10
SportsDirect Inc. staff
Dec 24, 2011
Matt Stafford threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions locked up their first playoff berth since 1999 with a 38-10 victory over the visiting San Diego Chargers on Saturday.
Calvin Johnson caught four passes for 102 yards and a score and Brandon Pettigrew added nine catches for 80 yards and a touchdown for the Lions (10-5), who locked up at least the No. 6 seed in the NFC.
The Chargers (7-8) were eliminated from postseason contention after falling one game behind the Denver Broncos (8-7) and Oakland Raiders (8-7) in the AFC West. San Diego closes its regular season at Oakland next week.
Detroit, which has surged to three straight wins, made quick work of the Chargers on Saturday, taking a 24-0 lead into the half. The Lions scored on each of their first four possessions, with Stafford and Pettigrew capping the opening drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass.
Kevin Smith caught a 3-yard scoring pass and Johnson grabbed a 14-yard touchdown just before the half.
The Chargers made a brief comeback, pulling within 24-10 in the third quarter, but the Lions regrouped. Smith rushed in for a 6-yard score and Cliff Avril capped it with a 4-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Philip Rivers went 28 of 53 for 299 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for San Diego.
Dec 24, 2011
Matt Stafford threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions locked up their first playoff berth since 1999 with a 38-10 victory over the visiting San Diego Chargers on Saturday.
Calvin Johnson caught four passes for 102 yards and a score and Brandon Pettigrew added nine catches for 80 yards and a touchdown for the Lions (10-5), who locked up at least the No. 6 seed in the NFC.
The Chargers (7-8) were eliminated from postseason contention after falling one game behind the Denver Broncos (8-7) and Oakland Raiders (8-7) in the AFC West. San Diego closes its regular season at Oakland next week.
Detroit, which has surged to three straight wins, made quick work of the Chargers on Saturday, taking a 24-0 lead into the half. The Lions scored on each of their first four possessions, with Stafford and Pettigrew capping the opening drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass.
Kevin Smith caught a 3-yard scoring pass and Johnson grabbed a 14-yard touchdown just before the half.
The Chargers made a brief comeback, pulling within 24-10 in the third quarter, but the Lions regrouped. Smith rushed in for a 6-yard score and Cliff Avril capped it with a 4-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Philip Rivers went 28 of 53 for 299 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for San Diego.
