NFL Scores And Results, Week 9: Jets Need OT To Beat Lions In Detroit

It took extra time and created a lot angst for their fans, but the New York Jets found a way to defeat a very, very underrated Detroit Lions team at Ford Field, winning 23-20 in overtime.

Nick Folk kicked a 36-yard field goal at the end of regulation to tie the game at 20, then nailed a 30-yard field goal in overtime to secure the victory. Santonio Holmes hauled in a short pass and advanced it for a 52-yard gain to set up the game-winning points for the Jets.

Mark Sanchez snuck the ball in from a yard out to cut Detroit’s lead to 20-17 with less than three minutes in regulation, slightly redeeming what was a rather erratic performance for the second-year signal-caller. He threw a 74-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards in the second quarter, but also badly underthrew Holmes on an interception by Alphonso Smith, and in general dealt with accuracy issues all day. Still, when it counted, Sanchez was able to make enough plays to beat fellow 2009 draftee Matthew Stafford.

Speaking of Stafford, he had a strong outing against Rex Ryan’s vaunted defense, completing 20 of 36 passes for 240 yards with scoring tosses to Brandon Pettigrew and Nate Burleson. He did not turn the ball over, either. Stafford’s biggest problem for the past two seasons, however, has been his inability to stay healthy, and that issue reared its ugly head again Sunday, as Stafford was forced to leave late after injuring his throwing shoulder.

The plucky, improving Lions are now 2-6 on the season, while the Jets improve to 6-2 after squeaking out a big win on the road.

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