Lions use same script to win again

DETROIT – The Lions used the same script and, somehow, won again. Normally it would make sense, especially if you are getting the results you want. But not in this case. It isn't exactly how you want to keep winning games in the National Football League -- scoring in the final minute to record a victory.

For one, it's scary. Plus, often, you need some luck as well.

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For the third straight game, the Lions needed a last-minute comeback to win.

This time, Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford threw an 11-yard touchdown to Theo Riddick with 29 seconds to go to beat the Miami Dolphins 20-16.

"It was giving me a heart attack, personally, but as long as we're winning, that's all that matters," Lions' linebacker DeAndre Levy said about another late-game win.

Somehow, Stafford, who threw for 280 yards with two TDs and one interception, shook off another lackluster performance to shine at the end.

Three weeks ago, Stafford beat the New Orleans Saints with two TDs in the final four minutes.

Two weeks ago in London, Stafford led the Lions back from a 21-0 first-half deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons 24-21.

Easily, the Lions (7-2) could have lost the last three games and be at a 4-5 standing instead of in first place in the NFC north ahead of the Green Bay Packers.

Sometimes, as the saying goes, it's better to be lucky than good.

"We just fight," Lions' WR Golden Tate said. "We have a really, really good team. Unfortunately, it keeps coming down to the end."

In their first game back after the bye, the Lions got back Calvin Johnson, who missed the three previous games with an injury.

Johnson had seven catches for 113 yards and a TD. It was his 49-yard TD catch in the first quarter that gave the Lions a 10-point lead and looked as if it was going to be a blowout. But that didn't happen.

The offense sputtered as it has all season. Stafford may have made miracle plays late, but hasn't had the type of season most thought with the offensive weapons he has.

In fact, Stafford entered the game with the 22nd-best quarterback rating behind Houston's Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was benched this past week, and one spot ahead of Washington QB Kirk Cousins, who was benched a few weeks ago.

The difference is that Stafford has been able to make a play late to win. Riddick gave Stafford credit for the winning TD on a wheel route.

"Stafford extended the play. I just continued on my route and had to make, obviously, a good catch," he said. "I was fortunate to do so."

Stafford would be getting a lot of heat if the Lions had lost those games. The reason Stafford has had the chance to make-good at the end is all on the defense.

The defense, which entered the game No. 1 in the league, has allowed the Lions to keep the game close, even when the offense can't get anything going.

The Dolphins came into the game averaging nearly 31 points a game in their last five.

Their lone touchdown of the game came after a blocked field goal that was returned to the Lions' three yard line. Ryan Tannehill hit Mike Wallace for the TD, giving Miami a 13-10 lead with 1:22 to go in the third.

Again, the defense was able to shut down the Dolphins, limiting them to just a field goal in the fourth quarter.

"Three weeks in a row we've kind of made it tough on ourselves and made it a harder game," Lions' DE Jason Jones said. "But this is the NFL and teams come to play."

Despite the Lions' record, it's hard not to think about the great starts gone bad in the past. Last year, they were 6-3 after nine games and didn't make it to the playoffs.

Safety Glover Quin said this season feels differently than last year.

"The confidence that we have, winning close games, winning down the stretch, just playing better," Quin said. "Last year we were winning but we weren't really playing well. (We were) giving up a lot of yards and it wasn't good."

Winning in dramatic fashion is always a good thing -- ask the Lions. They keeping writing the same script.