What happened: Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford got a little tired of watching his defense make a play late to win the last two games. He decided this week he'd just go ahead and do it himself.
After falling behind 17-13 with just 1:05 to play, Stafford guided the Lions' offense down the field on a 6-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped off by an 18-yard strike to Anquan Boldin with just 16 seconds left to help the Lions to a 20-17 win, their third straight.
The win improves the Lions to 4-3 on the season after starting 1-3.
What was expected to be a shootout at Ford Field Sunday between the Lions and Redskins instead turned into a defensive staredown for most of the game. The Lions entered the contest 25th in total defense and the Redskins 21st.
Detroit's defense was very good for three and a half quarters, but allowed Washington to score two late fourth-quarter touchdowns that surrendered a 13-3 fourth-quarter lead.
But like he's done so many times throughout his career, Stafford put the Lions on his back late, and guided them to the 24th come-from-behind win in the fourth quarter under his watch.
QB Comparison: Stafford's only touchdown pass of the contest was the game winner, which is probably just fine by him.
He finished 18-of-29 passing for 266 yards with that one touchdown and no interceptions. His passer rating was 103.5.
Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 30 of his 39 passes for 302 yards with a score and no interceptions for a 107.0 rating.
Getting Ziggy with it: Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah looked much more like himself Sunday vs. the Redskins.
Ansah returned last week on a pitch count after missing the previous three games due to an ankle injury. He played a full load of snaps vs. Washington and had three quarterback hits and two tackles.
The NFC's leader in sacks last season with 14.5 is still looking for his first sack in 2016, but he's getting close.
Stat of the game: The Lions entered the game having recorded just one fumble recovery in their first six games. They had two on Sunday vs. Washington.
Both came in their own territory, the first coming in their own end zone for a touchback.
Injury report: Already without linebacker DeAndre Levy (quad/knee) and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (shoulder), the Lions lost cornerback Darius Slay to a hamstring injury in the second quarter. He did not return.
Slay went down clutching his hamstring about 30 yards down the field away from a 2nd down play midway through the quarter.
He limped off the field, was checked by trainers on the sideline, and then went to the locker room. He returned to the sideline in the second half in street clothes.
Talented Redskins cornerback Josh Norman suffered a concussion early in the third quarter and did not play the rest of the game.
Play of the game: Detroit's first touchdown was set up by a 52-yard diving catch by Marvin Jones Jr. down to the Washington 14-yard line.
Stafford threw the ball 58 yards in the air, and despite being interfered with, Jones was able shake Norman and make a spectacular catch.
Jones finished with four catches for 94 yards.
