Lions pull off stunner, edge Packers at Lambeau

GREEN BAY, WIS. – Matthew Stafford couldn't bear to watch with his team on the verge of another heartbreaking moment.

Instead, the Detroit Lions held on for a signature victory in the unlikeliest of places.

Stafford threw for two touchdowns, and Detroit stopped a 24-game road losing streak against the Green Bay Packers with an 18-16 victory Sunday despite a late blunder by Calvin Johnson.

"I bet nobody gave us a chance, but that's the way we like it," Stafford said.

Mason Crosby missed a 52-yard field goal as time expired after the Packers recovered an onside kick that was mishandled by Johnson with about 31 seconds left.

Detroit (2-7) had stopped Green Bay on a two-point conversion attempt after Aaron Rodgers hit Justin Perillo for an 11-yard touchdown pass on the previous drive. Backup cornerback Crezdon Butler, signed from the practice squad on Friday, stuck a hand in front of Davante Adams to break up the conversion try.

A nervous Stafford said he couldn't watch that play. He threw for 242 yards for the league-worst Lions, an organization that had been reeling following the midseason firings of the team president and general manager.

The Packers (6-3) lost their third consecutive game, but this was a new low after their two previous defeats came on the road to Super Bowl contenders Denver and Carolina.

"We dropped one [Sunday] that we felt we had a very good opportunity to win," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said.

A sluggish game filled with three-and-outs turned into a thriller in the fourth quarter.

The Lions barely held on for their first road victory against Green Bay since 1991. Matt Prater missed two extra points, but also hit field goals from 49 and 51 yards.

"To be able to come in here and get a win is pretty special," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said.

"This isn't easy," McCarthy said. "And frankly, if we spoiled you in the past, that's great. We're looking forward to spoiling you again in the future."