Lions Run Over Buccaneers, 31-3 : NFC: Sanders rushes for 160 yards and three touchdowns. Detroit’s start is best since ’80.

Barry Sanders is feeling better each week and the Detroit Lions are playing better, too.

Sanders scored three touchdowns for the first time in his pro career Sunday and the Lions beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-3, for their fourth consecutive victory.

“You can’t say enough about the guy,” Detroit quarterback Rodney Peete said. “He does something on every other play that makes the highlight film.”

The Lions (4-1) are off to their best start since 1980 when they won their first four games.

Tampa Bay (0-5) is the only winless team in the NFC.

Sanders had his third consecutive 100-yard game, rushing for 160 yards in 27 carries. He had touchdown runs of seven, one and 69 yards--the longest of his career.

“In college, I was used to getting those long runs now and then,” said Sanders, who played at Oklahoma State. “I went to the short side of the field and there was a great job of blocking up front, but I had no idea I’d take it all the way.”

Peete, who missed two days of practice last week because of rib and hip injuries, completed 12 of 22 passes for 159 yards. The Lions’ defense helped by recovering two fumbles and intercepting two passes.

Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Chandler, who completed 10 of 26 passes for 64 yards with one interception, was forced from the game late in the third quarter after sustaining a concussion. Chandler had replaced Vinny Testaverde after nearly leading the Buccaneers to an upset last week against Buffalo.

Testaverde came in and completed seven of 13 passes for 54 yards with one interception.

Sanders’ first touchdown came when he took an exaggerated step right, drawing the Tampa line with him, then cut back and outran safety William Frizzell to the left corner of the end zone.

Peete passed 26 yards to Willie Green, who stepped into the left corner of the end zone in front of Glenn Rogers for a 13-0 lead. The one-play drive came after Tracy Hayworth intercepted a screen pass intended for Reggie Cobb.

Sanders’ second touchdown was set up by a pass interference penalty, turning a second-and-15 situation at the Tampa Bay 22 into first and goal at the one.

Sanders’ final touchdown came with about six minutes left when he ran inside the left end, then turned down the sideline for a 69-yard scoring run.

Chandler gained 56 yards in six carries to lead Tampa Bay.