Lions 27, Rams 23
Matthew Stafford overcame a horrendous start by throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Smith with 10 seconds left, helping host Detroit hold off an upset bid from Jeff Fisher-led St. Louis.
Smith also ran for 62 yards and a touchdown for Detroit (1-0), which overcame Stafford's three interceptions and denied Fisher a win over his long-time assistant Jim Schwartz.
Free-agent addition Cortland Finnegan returned an interception for a touchdown and Brandon Gibson had a touchdown catch for St. Louis (0-1). Fisher, who returned from a one-year absence after 17 seasons at the helm of the Tennessee Titans, watched his club nearly pull off the upset as it looks to turn things around after a 2-14 showing a season ago.
Rookie Greg Zuerlein's third field goal gave St. Louis a 23-20 lead with 1:55 left, but Stafford capped a nine-play, 80-yard drive with the toss to Smith.
It was the 19th straight game that Stafford threw at least one touchdown pass. He finished 32-of-48 for 355 yards.
Calvin Johnson, who led the NFL in receving last season, finished with six catches for 111 yards.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Stafford completed a pass to himself late in the third quarter after Eugene Sims batted the ball at the line of scrimmage. He gained three yards. … Schwartz chatted with his former boss Fisher before the game. Schwartz served as an assistant under Fisher for 10 years in Tennessee. … Due to the referee lockout, replacement official Shannon Eastin became the first female referee in NFL history. ... Rams third-year offensive lineman Roger Saffold suffered a neck injury on an awkward play while blocking during Gibson's TD catch. A hush fell over the crowd as he was strapped on to a stretcher.