Lions Notch Second Straight Victory, 21-14

Richard Johnson stopped partying to catch passes for the Detroit Lions, who celebrated a second-straight victory for the first time in three seasons.

Johnson, from San Pedro, had eight receptions for 248 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown bomb from Bob Gagliano, as the Lions beat the New Orleans Saints, 21-14, Sunday to all but crush the Saints’ slim hopes for a wild-card playoff berth.

Johnson’s yardage was second in Lions’ history only to Cloyce Box, who had 302 yards receiving against the Baltimore Colts in 1950.

“It seemed like a dream,” Johnson said. “I’m just so excited it happened to me. I knew I had the ability to play in this league. I just had to get the opportunity. A lot of guys on the street have NFL ability but never get the chance.”

Johnson had two good seasons in the USFL after leaving the University of Colorado but was passed over by NFL teams after the other league folded.

“I had gotten up to 205 pounds from just sitting around drinking beer and partying when (Lion offensive coordinator) Mouse Davis got the job here,” said Johnson, who is 5-foot-6 but weighs 185.

“He called and said they were having a mini-camp in March. I knew I had to lose weight. I didn’t want to walk around camp looking pregnant.”

It was the first time since 1986 that Detroit (4-9) has won two consecutive games. The Saints (6-7) have lost two straight and three of their last five.

The Saints, with the NFL’s No. 1 defense against the run, held Detroit to just 85 yards on the ground. But the Saints are 25th against the pass and the Lions took advantage of that flaw for 316 yards, their second-highest passing total of the season.

Rodney Peete completed 8 of 18 passes for 177 yards before reinjuring his left knee on a sack by James Geathers 25 seconds into the second half. Peete scored on a six-yard run and Barry Sanders, who ran for 72 yards on 20 carries, had a three-yard touchdown run for Detroit.