Lions Get New Look; Beat the Packers, 30-14

The Detroit Lions, who retained the services of Mouse Davis earlier this week to turn around a stagnant offensive attack, couldn’t be happier about the move.

Using flea-flickers, reverses and long passes, the Lions beat the Green Bay Packers, 30-14, Sunday before a crowd of 28,124 at the Silverdome.

“Mouse was mostly watching, but he had some positive input today,” interim Lion Coach Wayne Fontes, who replaced Darryl Rogers 3 weeks ago, said. “We put this offense in 3 weeks ago. It took us until today to get it in place. We’re going to put some more in, too.”

Detroit’s defense forced 6 turnovers--3 fumbles and 3 pass interceptions.

Devon Mitchell scored on a 90-yard pass interception, longest in the National Football League this season, and Pete Mandley took a reverse 21 yards for a touchdown as the Lions surged to a 27-0 halftime lead.

“My contribution was as a cheerleader and patting No. 12 (Rusty Hilger) on the hind end,” Davis said. “Rusty should get better. He’s playing better and getting better all the time.”

The battle among the NFC also-rans improved the Lions to 4-10, 2-1 under Fontes. The Packers, extending their losing streak to 7 games, fell to 2-12.

“This game is a deep hurt,” Packers Coach Lindy Infante said. “It’s very sad the way we played in the first half. We felt all week that the team that committed the fewest turnovers would win and that’s what happened. We had 5 crucial turnovers in the first half.”

Hilger, in his seventh start in the past 8 weeks, completed 11 of 25 for 141 yards with no interceptions for Detroit.

“I came back after every series and talked to Mouse,” Hilger said. “He kept me loose and let me know what I was doing wrong. He helped my confidence.”

Green Bay veteran Randy Wright, getting his first start since week 5 in place of injured Don Majkowski, completed 29 of 52 for 284 yards and 2 touchdowns--a 4-yarder to Ed West and a 24-yarder to Sterling Sharpe. Wright also gave up 3 interceptions, 1 of which was Mitchell’s return.