Lions’ Fontes Makes All the Right Moves : NFC: New quarterback and new defensive ends key 21-14 victory over the Cardinals.

Wayne Fontes’ move to shake up his offense was well-documented--jumping former third-stringer Erik Kramer ahead of Rodney Peete and Andre Ware at quarterback.

But two relatively obscure defensive changes were equally important in the Detroit Lions’ 21-14 victory over the Phoenix Cardinals Sunday.

In a move not announced until gametime, Fontes installed Robert Porcher and Kelvin Pritchett as ends in his 3-4 defense. Each sacked Steve Beuerlein twice, and Pritchett’s tackle of Ron Moore for a three-yard loss was the key to a late goal-line stand.

Detroit came into the game in without a touchdown in nine consecutive quarters, and a scoreless first quarter extended the streak to 10.

Touchdowns by Phoenix in the second and third quarters seemed to invigorate the Lions, who scored both times on their following possession. The Lions also scored in the fourth quarter.

“You don’t get a lot of reps in practice when you’re the No. 3 guy, but you try to be prepared as much as possible for when the time comes,” said Kramer, who completed 19 of 25 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns.

“He did a good job of coming in off the bench and starting a game,” Fontes said. “It’s like I said all week, maybe we can catch lightning in a bottle.”

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak by the Lions (8-5) and helped them remain atop the NFC Central.

Kramer, who had passed only 24 times coming into the game, completing 11, completed touchdown pass plays of six yards to Herman Moore, 28 to Rodney Holman and 43 yards for the game-winner to Willie Green 49 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Green caught the ball on the two-yard line as Robert Massey of the Cardinals tripped and fell.

Beuerlein, who also threw three interceptions, took the responsibility for the sacks, acknowledging that he held the ball trying to make plays.

“I look in the mirror first all the time, and I feel like I should have played a heck of a lot better,” he said.