National Football League
Detroit 49, Carolina 35
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 20, 2011
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Temperature: Dome
Head Official: Gene Steratore
Attendance: 63633

Matthew Stafford matched his career high with five touchdown passes, including the go-ahead strike to Brandon Pettigrew with 2:36 left, and the Detroit Lions handed the Carolina Panthers their 12th consecutive road loss with a 49-35 victory Sunday at Ford Field.

It was Stafford's fourth career game with four or more touchdown passes, a franchise record. Three of those scores came in the second half, leading the Lions (7-3) back from a 27-14 halftime deficit.

With Jahvid Best (concussion) missing a fourth consecutive game, Kevin Smith took advantage of his opportunity for the Lions, rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns and added a receiving touchdown.

Signed earlier this month to add depth with Best injured, Smith recorded the fourth 100-yard rushing game of his career and his first since Week 3 of the 2009 season.

The Panthers (2-8) struggled to move the ball in the second half. They managed only 58 total yards in the third quarter – and 26 of them came on one play.

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton rushed for two touchdowns, giving him nine for the season, the most by a rookie quarterback since the NFL merger in 1970.

Newton also threw a career-worst four interceptions.
Top Game Performances
Rushing
Carolina   Detroit
DeAngelo Williams Player Kevin Smith
10 Attempts 16
73 Yards 140
7.3 Avg Yards 8.8
0 Touchdowns 2
29 Long 43
Receiving
Carolina   Detroit
Jonathan Stewart Player Calvin Johnson
6 Receptions 5
87 Yards 89
14.5 Avg Yards 17.8
0 Touchdowns 0
26 Long 30
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Carolina 409 137 272 4 2 2 2.0 1
Detroit 495 169 326 7 0 4 1.0 0
Upcoming Games
  • Detroit will play their next game at home against Green Bay. The Lions have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • Carolina will play their next game on the road against Indianapolis. The Panthers have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.