Lions Have Their Day and Beat Falcons, 31-17

It’s good to have the Detroit Lions on your schedule, except on opening day.

The Lions, who lost 11 of 15 games last season and were winless in the exhibition season, took advantage of four turnovers Sunday to score a 31-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Detroit has won 7 of its last 9 openers and is 17-3 in its last 20 home openers.

“We weren’t making our own breaks during the (exhibition) season,” quarterback Chuck Long said. “Another key today was getting the running game going. It’s a lot easier to pass when you’ve got a good running game.

“I was a little antsy in the (exhibition) season. Today my arm felt great and I was disciplined with the game plan and with what to do with the football.”

Long, who missed two weeks in training camp with a sore arm, completed 13 of 19 passes for 107 and threw 2 scoring passes.

Garry James rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown, but Coach Darryl Rogers said the Lions didn’t just move the ball but finished off their drives with points.

“It looks nice to march 90 yards, but if you don’t score it’s no good,” Rogers said. “I’d rather go 4 yards and get the touchdown.”

Atlanta’s Chris Miller completed 24 of 36 passes for 205 yards, but his interception and 3 Falcon fumbles all led to Lion points.

Long’s 7-yard scoring pass to Pete Mandley gave the Lions a 7-3 lead in the first quarter and came after Miller’s pass was tipped by Bruce McNorton and intercepted by Jerry Holmes, who returned it 32 yards to the Atlanta 42.

Eddie Murray’s 37-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining in the first half made it 10-3 and the Lions broke it open with two touchdowns in the third quarter.

James scored on a 1-yard run to cap a 36-yard march after linebacker Jimmy Williams’ recovered Gerald Riggs’ fumble. Riggs gained 98 yards in 16 carries and caught 7 passes for 47 yards.

Atlanta’s Aubrey Matthews fumbled Jim Arnold’s punt when he was hit by Dennis Gibson. Detroit’s George Jamison picked up the loose ball and raced into the end zone to make it 24-3.