Dan Carpenter hits 58-yard field goal for Bills to beat Lions

ESPN logo
Sunday, October 5, 2014

DETROIT -- Buffalo's Dan Carpenter did what Detroit's Alex Henery couldn't: The Bills kicker managed to split the uprights.

Carpenter hit a 58-yard field goal with 4 seconds remaining, sealing a come-from-behind 17-14 win over the Lions on Sunday afternoon.

Carpenter's field goal came 17 seconds after Henery missed his third and final attempt, a 50-yarder that sailed wide left. Henery hit the right upright from 50 yards and fluttered a 47 yarder wide left on consecutive possessions in the third quarter.

The Bills (3-2) snapped a two-game skid in Kyle Orton's debut as Buffalo's starter. And their defense had six sacks in delivering coordinator Jim Schwartz a win in his return to Detroit after being fired as the Lions head coach last season.

Orton, a 10-year journeyman, went 30 of 43 for 308 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Orton set up the decisive score by hitting rookie Sammy Watkins over the middle for a 20-yard gain.

The ball was thrown behind Watkins, but he reached back with his right hand, tipping the ball forward and making the grab.

The Lions (3-2) squandered a 14-0 lead, dropped to 2-1 at home and also several key regulars.

Receiver Calvin Johnson did not return after aggravating a right ankle injury in the first minute of the third quarter. And starting running back Reggie Bush didn't finish the game after also hurting his ankle.

The Lions entered the game already missing running backs Joique Bell (concussion) and Theo Riddick (hamstring).

Golden Tate picked up the slack with seven catches for 134 yards and a 9-yard touchdown catch. The Lions defense assisted the offense with cornerback Rashean Mathis returning an Orton interception 41 yards for a score.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford went 18 of 31 for 221 yards with a touchdown and interception.

Related Video