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Matthew Stafford Lions QB 090912

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford throws against the St. Louis Rams in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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Despite 3 Stafford INTs, Lions win

Detroit beats St. Louis 27-23 in season opener

Updated: Sunday, 09 Sep 2012, 4:56 PM EDT
Published : Sunday, 09 Sep 2012, 4:45 PM EDT

DETROIT (AP) - Matthew Stafford threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Smith with 10 seconds left, lifting the Detroit Lions to a 27-23 win over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

Stafford made up for a shaky game by leading an 80-yard, nine-play game-winning possession that included three passes of at least 18 yards.

Sam Bradford directed a go-ahead drive that set up Greg Zuerlein's 46-yard field goal and put the Rams ahead 23-20 with 1:55 left. But coach Jeff Fisher's debut ended with a loss because the Rams could not shut down Stafford in the end.

Stafford had three interceptions before halftime for the first time in his four seasons. The Rams scored 13 points off Stafford's turnovers, including Cortland Finnegan's 31-yard return for a TD that gave them a 13-7 lead late in the first half.

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