Majik Man Is Back--Lions Glad He Is

Don Majkowski was once a star in the NFL. The “Majik Man” had his own TV show, made the Pro Bowl and became a celebrity when he played in Green Bay.

Now years and injuries removed from those days, Majkowski made the most of a chance with Detroit, subbing for the injured Scott Mitchell and leading the Lions to a 24-17 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Majkowski completed 15 of 19 passes, including a game-winning 11-yarder to Herman Moore with 2:32 left.

“I know that in the blink of an eye you can be in the game,” Majkowski said. “I have pride and sure I’d like to be a full-time starter. But I understand my role. They made it easy for me. They got open and I got them the ball.”

Brett Perriman had a career-high 12 catches for 142 yards, and Moore caught six for 68 as the Lions won their second in a row since owner William Clay Ford issued an ultimatum to Coach Wayne Fontes--make the playoffs or find a new job.

“This gives us the opportunity a little bit to get out of the hole,” Moore said. “But we’re still in the trenches. This division is so close that any win is an important one. A defeat at this stage can eliminate you.”

Barry Sanders gained 120 yards in 24 carries with two touchdowns and joined Eric Dickerson as the second back in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first seven seasons.

“Wayne has told us we don’t need to save his job. I don’t think that had anything to do with it,” Sanders said.

The Bears (6-5) lost their third consecutive game.

After Moore’s touchdown, Erik Kramer passed to Ryan Wetnight for 22 yards and to Michael Timpson for 11, giving the Bears a first down at the Detroit 11. But an offensive pass-interference penalty on Wetnight pushed the Bears back, and a fourth-down pass by Kramer was incomplete.