Stafford-led Lions rally to beat Panthers 49-35

By Larry Lage

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, Nov. 20 2011 2:45 p.m. MST

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011.

Duane Burleson, Associated Press

Summary

Matthew Stafford threw his fifth touchdown pass to Brandon Pettigrew with 2:32 left to help the Detroit Lions rally to beat the Carolina Panthers 49-35 Sunday.

DETROIT — Matthew Stafford threw his fifth touchdown pass to Brandon Pettigrew with 2:32 left to help the Detroit Lions rally to beat the Carolina Panthers 49-35 Sunday.

Detroit (7-3) became the first NFL team since at least 1950 to win three games in a season after trailing by at least 17 points, according to STATS, LLC.

Carolina (2-8) led 24-7 in the second quarter.

The Panthers tied it at 35 with 4:59 left on Cam Newton's 6-yard run and 2-point conversion pass.

Stafford started the game-winning drive with a 30-yard pass to Calvin Johnson and capped it by converting a third down from the 7 with a strike to Pettigrew in the end zone.

Newton helped Detroit seal the victory by throwing his third interception on the next snap.

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