Harrington helps Lions avoid 0-16 season
September 29th, 2002
DETROIT (AP) - Joey Harrington showed yesterday why he was worth the third pick in the draft. The rookie threw for 267 yards and a touchdown as the Lions beat New Orleans 26-21. It was Detroit's first win of the season and just the third in 20 games for coach Marty Mornhinweg, and the Saints' first loss.
Harrington was 20-of-36 and did not throw an interception after throwing four in his first NFL start last week. Harrington threw three passes to Az-Zahir Hakim for 98 yards.
"Young quarterbacks go on streaks, and that's what he did today," Mornhinweg said. "He'll have down stretches too, but today he was good."
The Saints fell behind 20-0 for the second straight week, but couldn't come back against Detroit (1-3) like they did against Chicago.
New Orleans' Deuce McAllister was held to just 61 yards rushing, but caught eight passes for 67 yards. And the Saints attempted their fourth-quarter comeback without standout receivers Joe Horn (knee) and Donte Stallworth (hamstring).
New Orleans (3-1) cut its deficit to 20-7 late in the first half, pulled within eight late in the third quarter and made it 26-21 on Aaron Brooks' 6-yard pass to Jerome Pathon with 3:41 to go.
After New Orleans chose to kick deep instead of attempting an onside kick, Harrington connected with Larry Foster for a first down and James Stewart ran for 36 yards just after the two-minute warning to seal the win. Harrington took a knee to end the game.
Detroit's defense and special teams also helped Detroit. Brooks was 27-of-48 for 269 yards with two touchdowns, but lost a fumble and had two second-half interceptions in Detroit territory - including one in the red zone.
On the possession that put the Lions ahead 20-0, Harrington showed why Detroit is planning on paying him more than $36 million. He perfectly lofted a pass over Az-Zahir Hakim's shoulder for a 40-yard gain to the Saints 38. On the next play, he hit Bill Schroeder in stride for a 38-yard touchdown.
New Orleans responded with a 12-play, 91-yard drive, capped by Brooks' four-yarder to Stallworth. Stallworth became the first rookie to catch touchdown passes in his first four games since 1982.
The Saints threatened on the first possession of the second half, but Corey Harris intercepted Brooks' overthrown pass to McAllister at Detroit's 10 and returned it to New Orleans' 41.
Jason Hanson's 23-yard field goal put Detroit ahead 23-7.
On the ensuing possession, McAllister ran through a huge hole for a touchdown and Brooks' sneak on the 2-point conversion pulled the Saints within eight.
Detroit punter John Jett pinned the Saints to their one and that eventually led to Hanson's fourth field goal. Hanson's 38-yarder was his 244th, tying Eddie Murray's team record.
Detroit got off to a great start. Desmond Howard returned the opening kickoff to the New Orleans 22. Hanson's 23-yard kick put Detroit ahead 3-0.
Three plays later, rookie Kalimba Edwards made his first sack and forced Brooks' fumble. James Hall scooped it up and scored on a 22-yard return.
Hanson's 34-yard kick on Detroit's second drive gave the Lions a 13-0 lead.
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