Rapid Rewind: Lions set new record for yardage in manhandling of Jaguars

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Detroit — Everything pointed to an easy day at the office for the Detroit Lions on Sunday. What the sellout crowd at Ford Field witnessed was a massacre.

The Lions scored touchdowns on each of their first seven possessions, setting a new franchise record with 644 yards of offense in the process, cruising to a 52-6 over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Unlike when the Lions topped 50 earlier this season, in a Week 8 victory over Tennessee, the points weren’t the result of the defense and special teams repeatedly handing the offense short fields. On the eight scoring drives against the Jaguars, the Lions never drove fewer than 64 yards and navigated more than 80 five times.

The success was shared across the offense. Quarterback Jared Goff threw four scores to three different receivers while both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery found the end zone on the ground, combining for three touchdowns.

The key starters took a seat early in the fourth quarter, with backup Hendon Hooker leading the team to the new yardage mark. The Lions fell just short of the single-game scoring record of 55 points for the second time this season.

With the win, the Lions moved to 9-1 on the season. The Jaguars dropped to 2-9.

Game ball

While there are a half-dozen players deserving of the honor, we’re giving this one to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who challenged his group to step up and carry their share of the load. Well, they did that and then some in one of the most impressive showings in franchise history.

Scoring summary

First quarter

● 9:36 — After a dink-and-dunk, nine-play opening possession, quarterback Mac Jones' third-down scramble was stopped short of the sticks. That led to rookie kicker Cam Little coming on and blasting home a 59-yard field goal to open the scoring. JAGUARS 3, LIONS 0

● 4:59 — The Lions offense opened with a business-like possession, driving 70 yards on nine plays without facing a third down. Montgomery was responsible for 26 of those yards on four carries and a reception, including a 2-yard touchdown run that put the Lions ahead early. LIONS 7, JAGUARS 3

Second quarter

● 12:26 — Detroit faced a little more resistance on their second series, but after Goff converted a fourth-and-1 near midfield with a 3-yard sneak, the march to the end zone felt inevitable.

Leaning on a balanced attack, the Lions gained 51 yards through the air and 42 on the ground. Gibbs put the finishing touches on the drive with a 1-yard score, running into a wall up the gut before bouncing around the left edge and into the end zone. LIONS 14, JAGUARS 3

● 6:39 — The Lions offense continues to look unstoppable, opening with a hook-and-ladder before Montgomery went to work with three consecutive carries for 24 yards. The back capped the series with a 6-yard scoring run, being pushed across the goal line by All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell. LIONS 21, JAGUARS 3

● 2:46 — Opening with a 54-yard swing pass to Gibbs in the right flat, the Lions found the end zone three plays later when St. Brown hauled in his seventh pass of the first half and outran the cornerback to the end zone for a 27-yard score. LIONS 28, JAGUARS 3

● 0:00 — Detroit’s defense heads into the break with a bad taste in their mouth, giving up a fourth-down conversion on a QB sneak, plus their longest gain allowed on the afternoon, a 24-yard pass to rookie Brian Thomas Jr. Those plays set up a 35-yard Little field goal as time expires. LIONS 28, JAGUARS 6

Third quarter

● 12:55 — Halftime could not cool down the Lions offense. On the fourth snap of the opening possession of the third frame, Jameson Williams snagged a deep crosser at the Jaguars 45-yard line and turned on the jets, outrunning the opposition’s secondary for a 64-yard touchdown. LIONS 35, JAGUARS 6

● 4:16 — Six possessions, six touchdowns. This one started with explosive gains to St. Brown and Williams for 48 combined yards, but got a little muddied in the red zone. Not willing to settle for a field goal facing fourth-and-2, the Lions went for it and converted with a short throw to Tim Patrick. On the next snap, tight end Brock Wright came wide open in the back corner of the end zone for a 5-yard score. LIONS 42, JAGUARS 6

Fourth quarter

● 13:23 — The Lions stayed perfect through seven possessions with a nine-play, 96-yard drive after taking over via a takeaway. St. Brown caught three passes for 54 yards on the series, including a 9-yard touchdown, his second of the game. LIONS 49, JAGUARS 6

● 7:49— With Goff taking a seat in favor of backup Hendon Hooker, the touchdown parade came to an end. But the Lions didn’t come up empty-handed, netting a 54-yard field goal from Jake Bates. LIONS 52, JAGUARS 6

Turnovers

● Kerby Joseph grabbed sole possession of the league lead with his seventh interception. On a deep throw intended for tight end Luke Farrell, the playmaking safety quickly closed ground and was able to rip the ball from the intended target's grasp before tumbling out of bounds.

Key stats

● Goff didn’t even attempt 30 passes, but managed to rack up 412 yards and four touchdowns while completing 24-of-29.

● Both St. Brown and Williams set new personal bests for receiving yards in a single game. St. Brown finished with 11 grabs for 161 yards while Williams finished with 124 yards on just four receptions.

● Gibbs and Montgomery combined for 144 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. The pair added another 74 receiving yards out of the backfield for 218 total yards from scrimmage.

● Jack Fox averaged 0.0 yards on zero punts.

Notable

● St. Brown became the fifth receiver since 2000 to catch a touchdown pass in eight consecutive games.

● Joseph’s 15 interceptions are the most by a Lions player in their first three seasons since the 1970 merger.

● Za’Darius Smith recorded a sack in his Detroit debut.

Injuries

● Colliding with teammate Brian Branch while trying to make a tackle along the sideline during the second quarter, linebacker Alex Anzalone immediately clutched his right wrist. After briefly being tended to by medical personnel, the defender was taken to the locker room where he was ruled out with a forearm injury.

Anzalone was seen mouthing, “It’s broke,” on the broadcast

● Wide receiver Allen Robinson was tested for a concussion in the late stages of the game.

Inactives

With the activation of Smith, the Lions made defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad a healthy scratch. Also inactive for the Lions were tight end Sam LaPorta, safety Loren Strickland, guard Christian Mahogany and offensive tackles Colby Sorsdal and Giovanni Manu.

LaPorta was ruled out on Friday with a shoulder injury. The others, like Muhammad, were healthy scratches.

Next game

The Lions will head back on the road to finish off their AFC South tour with a 1 p.m. matchup with the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday.