Stafford, Lions handle Giants
Matthew Stafford improvised brilliantly on two early touchdown passes to Calvin Johnson, and Detroit beat the New York Giants 35-14 on Monday night in Jim Caldwell’s first game as Lions coach.
Stafford also ran for a TD for Detroit, which intercepted Eli Manning twice in the Lions’ first Monday night opener since 1971. Detroit collapsed down the stretch last year and missed the postseason, and Jim Schwartz was fired and replaced by Caldwell.
Stafford went 22 of 32 for 346 yards. Johnson had seven catches for 164 yards.
Manning was 18 of 33 for 163 yards and a touchdown for the Giants, who started 0-6 last season and never led in their 2014 opener.
Stafford scrambled to his right and threw deep to Johnson on the game’s first drive as defensive backs Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Stevie Brown appeared to collide. Johnson jogged into the end zone.
Cardinals 18, Chargers 17
Carson Palmer threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to John Brown with 2:25 to play, and Arizona rallied to beat visiting San Diego.
Brown, a rookie from little Pittsburg State, caught a short pass and then eluded tacklers into the end zone, capping an 11-play, 91-yard drive.
Arizona trailed 17-6 after three quarters.
Jerry Attaochu blocked a punt and forced a fumble, setting up 10 Chargers points.
With his team trailing 6-3 at the half, San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers went 6 of 6 for 82 yards on a drive to open the second half. His six-yard pass to Malcom Floyd for the TD put the Chargers ahead 10-6.
Bills bidding begins
At least three ownership groups have submitted bids to buy for the Buffalo Bills, and a prospective ownership candidate could be selected as early as today.
Two people familiar with the discussions told the Associated Press on Monday night that late owner’s Ralph Wilson’s estate is closing in on naming a candidate.
One of the people said the sale is “moving quick,” and a prospective ownership group could be presented to the NFL for preliminary approval within days.
Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula have been considered the favorites since they first expressed interest in purchasing the team in early June. The other two groups to submit bids were reportedly New York City real estate mogul Donald Trump and a Toronto group fronted by rocker Jon Bon Jovi, four people told the AP.
Around the league
Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Johnson and starting defensive tackle Mike DeVito will miss the remainder of the Kansas City Chiefs’ season after MRI exams confirmed that both players ruptured their right Achilles tendons in Sunday’s loss to Tennessee. … Defending NFL sacks champion Robert Mathis is expected to miss the Colts’ season after tearing an Achilles tendon during a private workout last week in Atlanta. … The 49ers have waived former Oregon running back LaMichael James and re-signed receiver Kassim Osgood. … Jadeveon Clowney, the Houston Texans No. 1 overall pick, will be out 4-6 weeks after the defensive end had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. … Dolphins linebacker Dannell Ellerbe was placed on injured reserve with a hip injury and will miss the rest of the season.