Lions 40, Packers 10
DETROIT -- Quarterback Matthew Stafford passed for 330 yards and three scores as the Detroit Lions overcame four turnovers and snapped a nine-game Thanksgiving Day losing streak by thumping the Green Bay Packers 40-10 at Ford Field.
Running back Reggie Bush had 182 all-purpose yards and a touchdown and wide receiver Calvin Johnson caught six passes for 101 yards and a score. The Lions (7-5) moved a half-game ahead of Chicago for first place in the NFC North.
Wide receiver Jeremy Ross, who was waived by Green Bay in September, scored his first NFL touchdown on a 5-yard Stafford pass during the second quarter. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh sacked Green Bay quarterback Matt Flynn for a safety.
Flynn was sacked seven times and intercepted once. Flynn threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns, both franchise records, in his only previous start against the Lions on New Year's Day 2012. On Thursday, Flynn completed 10 of 20 passes for 139 yards.
The Packers (5-6-1) are 0-4-1 since starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone. Safety Morgan Burnett recovered two fumbles, one for a touchdown.
The Lions, who have committed 17 turnovers in the last five games, out-gained the Packers 561-126. Detroit, which ended a five-game losing streak to Green Bay, achieved its largest margin of victory over the Packers since a 34-0 win on Oct. 28, 1973.
Johnson scored on a 20-yard pass play to give Detroit a 24-10 lead with 9:08 remaining in the third quarter. Suh wrestled Flynn out of the end zone in the final minute of the third to extend the Lions' advantage to 16.
Lions running back Joique Bell, who had 94 yards rushing, scored on a 1-yard plunge with 13:06 left. Stafford's third scoring pass was a 20-yarder to wide receiver Kevin Ogletree, who made a one-handed grab.
Bush set the tone for Detroit's bumbling ways by coughing up the ball inside the Packers' 10 on his team's first possession. Detroit's David Akers and Green Bay's Mason Crosby traded field goals before Burnett recovered a Stafford fumble and returned it 1 yard for the game's first touchdown.
After Stafford was intercepted on Detroit's next possession, the Lions managed to hang onto the ball two consecutive drives and cashed in both times. Bush had a 37-yard reception to set up Ross' 5-yard scoring reception.
Ross' 35-yard punt return to the Green Bay 33 led to Bush's 1-yard touchdown run with 1:22 left in the half to put the Lions on top 17-10.
NOTES: Lions WR Calvin Johnson has caught a touchdown pass in five straight Thanksgiving Day games. ... Packers WR Jordy Nelson, who had at least three receptions in every game, was held to two receptions for 14 yards. ... Packers C Evan Dietrich-Smith suffered a knee injury during the second quarter and did not return. ... Lions C Dominic Raiola played in his 200th career game, tying him with LB Wayne Walker (1958-72) for the second most in franchise history. K Jason Hanson (`1992-2012) holds the franchise record with 327 games. ... Detroit starting CB Chris Houston (foot) was inactive.
