Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks to pass the football in the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on November 22, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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DETROIT -
Yes, that just happened. The Cleveland Browns wasted a 21-point lead and allowed the Detroit Lions to score a touchdown on the final play of the game, to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Brady Quinn threw four touchdown passes, the last of which, caught by tight end, Michael Gaines, put the Browns ahead with just 5:44 remaining in the game.
The Browns converted a two-point conversion when Jamal Lewis took a direct snap from center and ran into the end zone, virtually untouched, making the score, 37-31.
The Browns intercepted Matthew Stafford on the ensuing possession, but were forced to punt the ball back to the Lions with less than two minutes remaining.
That gave Stafford one last chance to lead his team down the field. After several completions, the Lions found themselves at the Browns' 32-yard line, with eight seconds remaining.
Needing a touchdown to tie, and possibly win the game, Stafford scrambled for several seconds, before heaving a desperation pass toward the end zone, that Brodney Pool intercepted after time had expired.
The Browns thought they had won the game, but safety Hank Poteat was called for a pass interference penalty, which gave the Lions the ball at the one yard line, with a chance for one final, untimed play.
The Browns called a timeout, allowing Stafford, who injured his shoulder on the previous play, to re-enter the game.
With his arm dangling at his side, Stafford threw his fifth touchdown pass of the game to rookie tight end, Brandon Pettigrew, tying the score at 37.
Jason Hanson then kicked the extra point, lifting the Lions to a 38-37 victory, and dropping the Browns to an NFL worst, (1-9) on the season.
Rookie receiver Mohamed Massaquoi had his second career one-hundred yard game, catching five balls, for 115 yards and his first NFL touchdown.
The Browns travel to Cincinnati next Sunday, to play the first-place Bengals.
Brady Quinn threw four touchdown passes, the last of which, caught by tight end, Michael Gaines, put the Browns ahead with just 5:44 remaining in the game.
The Browns converted a two-point conversion when Jamal Lewis took a direct snap from center and ran into the end zone, virtually untouched, making the score, 37-31.
The Browns intercepted Matthew Stafford on the ensuing possession, but were forced to punt the ball back to the Lions with less than two minutes remaining.
That gave Stafford one last chance to lead his team down the field. After several completions, the Lions found themselves at the Browns' 32-yard line, with eight seconds remaining.
Needing a touchdown to tie, and possibly win the game, Stafford scrambled for several seconds, before heaving a desperation pass toward the end zone, that Brodney Pool intercepted after time had expired.
The Browns thought they had won the game, but safety Hank Poteat was called for a pass interference penalty, which gave the Lions the ball at the one yard line, with a chance for one final, untimed play.
The Browns called a timeout, allowing Stafford, who injured his shoulder on the previous play, to re-enter the game.
With his arm dangling at his side, Stafford threw his fifth touchdown pass of the game to rookie tight end, Brandon Pettigrew, tying the score at 37.
Jason Hanson then kicked the extra point, lifting the Lions to a 38-37 victory, and dropping the Browns to an NFL worst, (1-9) on the season.
Rookie receiver Mohamed Massaquoi had his second career one-hundred yard game, catching five balls, for 115 yards and his first NFL touchdown.
The Browns travel to Cincinnati next Sunday, to play the first-place Bengals.
