Lions 19, Redskins 14

Lions end losing streak with win over Redskins

John Niyo / The Detroit News

Detroit -- They were the last two left on the elevator Saturday night, a couple rookies on their way to bed at the team hotel.

But Jim Schwartz, the Lions' first-year head coach, had a message for his No. 1 overall draft pick, Matthew Stafford, already feeling the heat after two shaky starts to begin his NFL career.

"Everybody got off and it was just Coach Schwartz and I," a celebration-soaked Stafford said Sunday, grinning after the Lions' monumental 19-14 victory over the Washington Redskins at Ford Field. "He was like, 'Don't get conservative just because you threw a couple picks. I want you firing that ball.' He goes, 'Just stay aggressive.' So I said, 'All right,' and I took that into the game with me today."

As pep talks go, it wasn't much.

"I just wanted to make sure he didn't get conservative and knew that the head coach was behind him," Schwartz said, shrugging.

But the end result was something larger than life for Schwartz's team: the end of a 19-game losing streak that was tied for the second-longest in NFL history. The 644-day drought goes back to Dec. 23, 2007 -- Stafford's sophomore year in college -- but it's a weight everyone in Honolulu blue and silver shouldered this fall.

"I'd really like to get to a point where a regular-season win isn't celebrated that much," Schwartz said, beginning his first victorious postgame news conference with a long-overdue punch line. "It had the feel of a postseason win, the jubilation. I mean, the monkey off the back -- not only the guys that have been here, but the organization, the city of Detroit -- it was well-deserved."

And well-earned, as the Lions finally followed up an impressive start -- they led 13-0 after a dominant first-half effort -- with a victory-clinching finish, including a final defensive stand that most of the Lions' offensive players admittedly couldn't bear to watch.

"I had my hat pulled down over my eyes," laughed center Dominic Raiola, a co-captain who has witnessed 99 losses in his eight-plus seasons in Detroit. "I was just listening. I mean, I knew the defense would be fine. It's just that we've found every way to lose around here, you know? It just finally went the other way."

And it ended with the Lions executing their prevent defense to perfection, as the Redskins had one final play on fourth-and-10 from the Detroit 36 with 8 seconds left. A pass from Jason Campbell (27-for-41, 340 yards, two TDs) to Santana Moss was lateralled twice before linebacker Larry Foote tackled Ladell Betts at the 23 as time expired.

"It helps having guys out there like Foote," Raiola said, nodding, "that have been there and done that."

Once they'd done it, it was time to celebrate. The Lions players came out of their locker room for an encore, at Schwartz's urging, thanking those faithful fans who'd stayed -- the crowd of 40,896 at Ford Field was the smallest crowd for a Lions regular-season game since 1989.

The Lions also were blacked out on local television for the sixth time in their last eight home games, but what the folks at home didn't see was a sight for sore eyes.

Picked apart on the opening drive, the Lions' defense came up with a huge stop on fourth-and goal from the 1 against Clinton Portis, who was held to minus-2 yards on four carries in the first half.

And in the first sign of what was to come, Stafford promptly led the Lions on a 12-play, 99-yard touchdown drive.

The Redskins (1-2), in a move that'll only add to the media maelstrom coach Jim Zorn is facing in the nation's capital, actually stopped the Lions on third down two plays earlier. But rather than force a 51-yard field-goal attempt by Jason Hanson, the Redskins accepted a pass-interference penalty that gave the Lions another chance at third-and-13 from the Washington 42.

Stafford (21-of-36, 242 yards) made them pay, avoiding the rush of Pro Bowl tackle Albert Haynesworth on his way to a 21-yard scramble.

"I thought somebody was gonna tackle me from behind, because I know I'm not fast," he joked afterward. "And then I just started to run, like I was scared -- and it worked."

So did the next play, a 21-yard toss to Bryant Johnson, as Stafford kept the safety locked on Calvin Johnson in the slot and then found his mark in the end zone.

"That's kind of how (offensive coordinator Scott) Linehan is and I love it: We make a big play, get a key first down, and we're gonna go for it," said Stafford, who had five interceptions the first two weeks.

Not so on this day, as the offense played turnover-free football while controlling the line of scrimmage. The Lions were 9-for-12 on third-down conversions in the first half, piling up 116 rushing yards to the Redskins' goose egg, dominating time of possession (36:48-23:12) on Sunday.

And as the final seconds ticked off the clock, the streak was gone.

"It wasn't easy to (ignore), but we did a good job of it," Stafford said. "You hear about it every day, and I'm just happy it's over with. It's a brand new season."

You can reach John Niyo at John.Niyo@detnews.com and follow him at twitter.com/JohnNiyo