Lions vs. Browns 2013 results: Joseph Fauria’s 3 TDs fuel 31-17 Detroit win
Fauria was an efficient scoring machine, driving a second-half comeback to put the Lions back on top of the NFC North.
Matthew Stafford threw four touchdowns, tight end Joseph Fauria grabbed three of them and the Detroit Lions stormed past the Cleveland Browns, 31-17, on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions headed into halftime down three but scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to pull away and improve to 4-2.
Fauria, an undrafted rookie free agent, was as efficient as one could be, catching three touchdowns on three targets. He now has five touchdowns on just seven receptions this season. He grabbed his first on a one-yard catch from Stafford, giving the Lions a 7-0 lead.
The Browns responded 17 straight points to close the half. Halfback Chris Ogbonnaya grabbed a four-yard pass from Brandon Weeden to open the quarter, the first of two Weeden touchdown passes. He added his second on a two-yard connection to Greg Little with 1:20 remaining in the half to pull ahead, and Billy Cundiff hit a 40-yard field goal to head into the locker room ahead 17-7.
Reggie Bush pulled Detroit back into the game in the third quarter, taking a Matthew Stafford pass 18 yards into the end zone. Fauria added receptions of 10 and 23 yards in the fourth quarter to keep the Lions out front, where they would remain for the rest of the game. His score with 2:05 remaining in the game was the dagger, killing any chance of a Browns comeback.
Fantasy Studs and Duds
If Fauria is available in your league, you'd better grab him. He finished with three scores and 34 yards, and with Calvin Johnson banged up, is the Lions' go-to red zone target. Speaking of Johnson, he served largely a decoy role, catching just three passes for 25 yards. Stafford had a big day, going for 248 yards, four scores and one pick.
With Brian Hoyer done for the year, Brandon Weeden was back under center for the Browns. He put up 292 yards and two touchdowns, but had two interceptions to go along with them. Josh Gordon piled up 126 receiving yards, and Little and Ogbonnaya each found the end zone.
Injury Report
Joique Bell left the game in the second half with a rib injury and did not return. He finished with 25 yards on seven carries.
Did they cover?
The Lions came in as three-point favorites, meaning they easily covered with their 14-point win.
What’s next?
Sunday, Oct. 20, 1 p.m. ET: Bengals vs. Lions
Sunday, Oct. 20 4:25 p.m. ET: Browns vs. Packers
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