Lions rally from 17 down to outduel the Panthers, 49-35

**Admin** Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:02 am

Matthew Stafford threw five touchdown passes as the Detroit Lions rallied from a 17-point second-quarter deficit to beat the Carolina Panthers, 49-35. Detroit kept pace in the NFC playoff race and became the first team to win three games in a season after trailing by at least 17 points.

He finished 28 of 36 for 335 yards and tied a career high with the five scoring passes. Kevin Smith running for a career-high 140 yards and scoring a career-best three touchdowns.

If the season ended today, the Lions would make the playoffs as a wild card, along with Chicago, which is tied for second with Detroit in the NFC North.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton provided his thoughts after the game