Rapid Rewind: Offense explodes for 42 points as Lions snap six-game losing streak against Seahawks

Lions quarterback Jared Goff celebrates a 7-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter of Monday’s victory over the Seahawks. (Getty Images)

Detroit — When the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks get together, you can count on the scoreboard operator getting a workout. With each side featuring loaded offenses and injury-depleted defenses, the teams stuck to their familiar script Monday night at Ford Field.

But after losing six straight to the visitors, including each of the past three seasons, the Lions finally got over the hump against the Seahawks, scoring touchdowns in every quarter of the 42-29 win.

A timely defensive stop late in the fourth quarter, keeping Seattle out of the end zone with four cracks from the 3-yard line, effectively sealed the victory.

With the win, the Lions moved to 3-1 on the season. For the Seahawks, it was their first loss, dropping them to an identical 3-1 record.

Game ball

Playing against a sticky secondary that has given him trouble in the past, quarterback Jared Goff delivered a perfect performance, showing patience and poise while completing all 18 of his passes for 292 yards and two scores.

The cherry on top was a 7-yard touchdown reception on a trick play in the third quarter.

Scoring summary

First quarter

● 3:11 — Starting pinned deep in their own territory, the Lions leaned heavily on their ground game, handing it off to David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs eight times for a combined 59 yards.

After a 20-yard gain up the gut for Gibbs set the offense up first-and-goal from the 4, Montgomery took three consecutive handoffs, finishing the 12-play, 93-yard drive by running through a tackler in the backfield for a 1-yard scoring plunge. LIONS 7, SEAHAWKS 0

Second quarter

● 14:58 — Taking over in the red zone after a fumble recovery, the Lions needed three plays to return to the end zone as Gibbs waltzed across the goal line from 3 yards out to extend Detroit’s early lead. LIONS 14, SEAHAWKS 0

● 10:08 — The Lions had the Seahawks in favorable third-down situations twice but couldn’t get off the field, allowing a converting completion to Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the first, with Davis drawing a defensive holding infraction on the second.

A couple of plays later, the veteran corner got cooked on an out-and-up route by DK Metcalf that gained 29 yards to the 1-yard line, setting up running back Kenneth Walker III to put the finishing touches on Seattle's response, bouncing off a wall up the middle around the right side of the formation. LIONS 14, SEAHAWKS 7

● 5:11 — Detroit wastes little time with a counterpunch, moving quickly across midfield thanks to a facemask penalty against the Seahawks. A 10-yard Gibbs run and a 13-yard, third-down catch by Sam LaPorta in the red zone out of play-action set up Gibbs for his second rushing score of the first half, this one from a yard out. LIONS 21, SEAHAWKS 7

Third quarter

● 9:46 — It was a frustrating drive for the Lions' defense to open the second half. They allowed Geno Smith to successfully sneak for a fourth-and-1 conversion before getting beat by Metcalf on a shallow cross on a third down to extend the possession. Davis would later get flagged for defensive pass interference on a post pattern to Metcalf, leading to a 9-yard scoring pass to tight end AJ Barner on a designed play-action rollout by Smith. LIONS 21, SEAHAWKS 14

● 6:57 — Taking a check-down pass on the opening play of the possession, Montgomery ran over cornerback Devon Witherspoon and broke three total tackles for a 40-yard gain. Tim Patrick added 23 more on a catch-and-run shallow cross before coordinator Ben Johnson opened the playbook with receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown taking an end-around hand-off, slamming on the brakes and throwing it back to Goff for a 7-yard touchdown. LIONS 28, SEAHAWKS 14

● 3:03 — The heavyweight fight continued with Smith showcasing impressive sack avoidance while keeping his eyes downfield for a third-down conversion to Smith-Njigba followed by a 29-yarder to Tyler Lockett.

Walker then found paydirt for the second time, again from a yard out. Seattle went for two, and after a pass interference penalty on the initial try, Smith’s pass to Jake Bobo sailed beyond the receiver’s reach, leaving the Lions up eight. LIONS 28, SEAHAWKS 20

● 2:52— One play. That’s all it took. Running a deep crossing pattern that intersected with LaPorta, Jameson Williams came free, caught Goff's ball in stride and turned on the jets. The receiver blew past Witherspoon and high-stepped the final 20 yards down the right sideline for a 70-yard touchdown. LIONS 35, SEAHAWKS 20

Fourth quarter

● 14:48 — The second-half parade of touchdowns carried into the second half, thanks to a couple of big runs by Walker. The Seattle back, returning from a two-game absence, popped free for a 23-yard gain early in the series and put a bow on the drive with a 21-yard cutback that beat Davis to the sideline. LIONS 35, SEAHAWKS 27

● 5:23 — After each side mustered a stop, the Lions went on another long drive, kickstarted by a 29-yard post pass to Patrick, followed by a 30-yard screen to LaPorta into the red zone. It looked like things might stall after tight end Brock Wright was flagged for pass interference, but on third-and-goal from the 12, Goff found St. Brown for a toe-tapping score near the left sideline. LIONS 42, SEAHAWKS 27

Turnovers

● With Seattle driving late in the first quarter, receiver Metcalf took a quick slant and ran through tackle attempts by linebacker Alex Anzalone and safety Brandon Joseph. But Anzalone maintained a grip on Metcalf’s jersey, allowing teammate Jack Campbell to deliver a big hit that dislodged the ball. The fumble was recovered by cornerback Carlton Davis III, who returned it 49 yards to Seattle’s 14-yard line.

● Stepping in front of an end zone shot for Smith-Njigba in the final minute, Kerby Joseph made a leaping interception, his third of the season.

Notable

● More than 100 former Lions players took the field at the half to honor Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson, who was inducted into the team’s Pride of the Lions.

● Driving for a potential game-tying score in the fourth quarter, a Seahawks fourth-down conversion was overturned by an offensive pass interference penalty, leading to a punt.

● Seattle dropped Goff for a safety with 2:05 remaining, giving the visitors a chance to execute a comeback.

Key stats

● Montgomery and Gibbs combined for 118 yards and three touchdowns with 26 carries.

● Eight different Lions caught a pass, including Goff. St. Brown paced the team with six grabs, but he finished behind Williams (80), LaPorta (53) and Patrick (52) in receiving yardage.

● An intense matchup with Metcalf resulted in three pass breakups and four penalties for Davis. In total, Detroit’s secondary was flagged seven times.

● Aidan Hutchinson’s streak of games with at least one sack was snapped at five. He finished without a tackle, but did hit Smith twice.

Injuries

● Davis and Terrion Arnold both briefly exited in the second half, but returned to action and finished the game.

Inactives

Branch couldn’t shake the illness he contracted over the weekend, joining Ragnow on the inactive list Monday night. Also down were rookies Giovanni Manu and Isaiah Williams. They were both healthy scratches.

Next game

The Lions have a bye next week and will return from the break to play the Cowboys in Dallas on Oct. 13 at 4:25 p.m. Be prepared to relive the “report as eligible” fiasco from the 2023 season.