National Football League
Detroit 45, Philadelphia 14
When: 12:30 PM ET, Thursday, November 26, 2015
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Temperature: Dome
Head Official: John Parry
Attendance: 64445

DETROIT -- Calvin Johnson got off to a quiet start, then began his annual Thanksgiving feast on opposing secondaries in earnest.

The Detroit Lions' perennial All-Pro wide receiver was shut out on the first three drives and quarterback Matthew Stafford was determined to change that.

"We got through the first quarter without him having a catch and I was sitting there going, 'Man, we've got to get 81 the ball,'" Stafford said. "(Offensive coordinator) Jim Bob (Cooter) dialed up some plays for him and he got open and made some big-time catches."

Once Johnson got involved, the Detroit offense became unstoppable. Stafford threw five touchdown passes, three to Johnson, and the revived Lions won their third straight by walloping the Philadelphia Eagles 45-14 on Thursday afternoon at Ford Field.

Stafford completed 27 of 38 passes for 337 yards for the Lions (4-7), who have also won three consecutive Thanksgiving Day games. They scored on six straight possessions in their highest-scoring game of the season.

"It's just guys making up their minds that we're going to go out there and play well and win these games that we're capable of winning," Johnson said. "Less mistakes, more concentration, all those things add up."

Johnson, who tied his career high with his three touchdown grabs, caught eight passes for 93 yards. He has an NFL-record 11 touchdown receptions on Thanksgiving and at least one for seven consecutive seasons.

Running back Theo Riddick and wide receiver Golden Tate hauled in Stafford's other scoring passes. Running back Joique Bell added a rushing touchdown.

Detroit defensive end Ziggy Ansah had a career-high 3 1/2 sacks and recovered a fumble.

The Lions haven't lost since a front-office shakeup after getting blown by Kansas City in London.

"You guys are always looking for something magical, something different. Football is a bit simpler than that," Detroit coach Jim Caldwell said. "When guys do what they're supposed to do, they function the way they're supposed to function and their technique is sound, good things happen. That's what you're seeing now."

Mark Sanchez passed for 199 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles (4-7), who gave up 45 points for the second time in five days and lost their third straight. Sanchez started in place of Sam Bradford, who was inactive for the second consecutive game because of a concussion and separated left shoulder.

Embattled head coach Chip Kelly said the second straight stinker wasn't an indication he has lost the locker room.

"I don't think they're trying to prove a point or anything," he said. "We got outcoached today."

Kelly cited the lack of a pass rush for the flurry of points they've allowed.

"We've got to do a better job of getting to the quarterback," he said. "We've allowed them too much time. We've got to create more pressure, and Calvin was obviously a very difficult matchup for us."

The Lions led 24-7 at halftime.

Stafford connected with Riddick on an 8-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter. Riddick had a 23-yard catch earlier in the drive.

Philadelphia tied it during the opening minute of the second quarter. Sanchez found tight end Brent Celek for a 2-yard score on third-and-goal to cap an 80-yard drive.

The Lions took a 14-7 lead on their next possession with Stafford's 2-yard scoring pass to Tate, who snuck out of the backfield and juked a defender for a walk in touchdown.

Matt Prater's 48-yard field goal gave Detroit a 10-point lead before Stafford's 25-yard touchdown pass to Johnson came with 12 seconds left in the half. Johnson got past rookie cornerback Eric Rowe, who replaced injured Nolan Carroll earlier in the half.

Johnson defeated Rowe in one-on-one coverage on a 4-yard, back-shoulder toss from Stafford to make it 31-7. After a Sanchez turnover, Johnson beat safety Malcolm Jenkins on a 3-yard catch for his third score.

NOTES: Philadelphia's perennial All-Pro LT Jason Peters left the game in the first quarter with a left ankle injury. ... Eagles CB Nolan Carroll broke his right ankle in the opening half and Lions FS Glover Quin suffered a left ankle in the first quarter and did not return. ... The Eagles were missing two of the top offensive weapons, along with QB Sam Bradford. RB Ryan Mathews and TE Zach Ertz were inactive because of lingering concussion symptoms. OTs LaAdrian Waddle and Corey Robinson were among the inactives for Detroit. ... The Eagles were undefeated in their previous six Thanksgiving Day games. ... Stafford became the first Lions quarterback with three straight Thanksgiving Day victories since Greg Landry in 1970-72. ... Detroit is 36-38-2 in its traditional Thanksgiving Day game.
Top Game Performances
Rushing
Philadelphia   Detroit
Kenjon Barner Player Ameer Abdullah
7 Attempts 16
30 Yards 63
4.3 Avg Yards 3.9
0 Touchdowns 0
16 Long 23
Receiving
Philadelphia   Detroit
Jordan Matthews Player Calvin Johnson
3 Receptions 8
60 Yards 93
20.0 Avg Yards 11.6
1 Touchdowns 3
24 Long 25
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Philadelphia 227 68 159 2 0 0 2.0 0
Detroit 430 108 322 6 1 0 6.0 1
Upcoming Games
  • Detroit will play their next game at home against Green Bay. The Lions have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .286 after a loss.
  • Philadelphia will play their next game on the road against New England. The Eagles have a W/L % of .250 after a win and .429 after a loss.