Matthew Stafford threw for two touchdowns, both to Calvin Johnson, and ran for another to spark Detroit over the New York Giants 35-14 in their NFL season openers.
The victory was the most lopsided by the Lions in a season opener since 1980 and came in the Detroit debut of coach Jim Caldwell and his new offensive strategy.
"We played well," Stafford said. "We didn't punch the ball in the end zone from (within 20 yards) a couple of times, but our defense played well and gave us plenty of opportunities."
Stafford completed 22-of-32 passes for 346 yards and connected with Johnson seven times for 164 yards, including first-quarter touchdown tosses of 16 and 67 yards.
"He is going to make plays for us like that all year long," Stafford said.
Stafford, who also threw six passes for 93 yards to Golden Tate, scored on a 5-yard run in the third quarter and Joique Bell added a 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for the Lions.
The Giants managed only 197 yards to Detroit's 417 while New York quarterback Eli Manning was intercepted twice in the second half and managed only 163 yards on 18-of-33 passing.
In the final game of the season's first week, San Diego was at Arizona later.
Two major injuries were revealed Monday with Indianapolis Colts star linebacker Robert Mathis out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during a workout last week.
Mathis, who led the NFL with 19 sacks last season, missed the Colts' opening 31-24 loss to Denver while serving a four-game suspension for using performance-enhancing substances.
Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, the top pick in this year's NFL Draft, underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee Monday and will miss the next four to six weeks.
Source: AFP