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Jones-Drew, Jaguars cruise past Lions

Nov 10, 2008 - 12:14 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars used their trademark running game and stingy defense to inject some life into their fleeting playoff hopes.

Maurice Jones-Drew scored three touchdowns and led a rushing attack that racked up 157 yards as the Jaguars routed the hapless Detroit Lions, 38-14, on Sunday.

Jacksonville (4-5) entered the matchup with the Lions off a pair of disappointing losses to the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, but dominated the league's last winless team from the start.

It was a tumultuous week for Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio, who had a highly publicized feud with linebacker Mike Peterson.

The team leader in tackles, Peterson was inactive for the game after being banished from the locker room on Wednesday, but Del Rio was pleased with his team's preparation.

"It was a good week. It wasn't reported that way, but we had good practices," Del Rio said. "We had good meetings. Guys responded very well with the challenges we put forth and we got down to business."

Jones-Drew ran 11 times for 70 yards and three second-quarter touchdowns while Fred Taylor added 80 yards on 18 carries.

"They ran three or four plays. They physically beat us," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said. "That's all I'll say. They broke tackles and sometimes we got in there and fitted correctly, but we weren't able to get them down."

With its top two quarterbacks, John Kitna and Dan Orlovsky, out with injuries, Detroit turned to the recently retired Daunte Culpepper, signing the former Pro-Bowler to a two-year deal this week.

"Physically I feel good. I'm not beat up," Culpepper said. "I got hit a couple times - it was good to get some hits in, get hit, to get back in the flow of football. I think with that being said, we've just got to keep moving forward."

Culpepper completed 5-of-10 for 104 yards and an interception before giving way to rookie Drew Stanton, who spelled the starter throughout the first three quarters.

Stanton threw a touchdown in his first pass attempt, staking the Lions to a 7-3 lead on a 1-yard strike to John Owens for the tight end's first touchdown in his six-year career.

"It was nice getting an opportunity when it meant something," Stanton said. "That's exactly what I wanted to do. My first pass in an NFL game is a touchdown pass. Nobody will ever be able to take that away from me."

Jacksonville, which lost to previously winless Cincinnati a week ago, made sure they did not do the same against Detroit with a dominant second quarter.

Jones-Drew capped off an 80-yard drive with a 6-yard score on the second play of the quarter, then found the end zone from 1-yard out after the Jaguars defense forced a three-and-out.

"They were blocking," Jones-Drew said of his teammates. "Fullbacks, tight ends, receivers were blocking. It helped the whole overall game that we were able to run the ball and keep the ball down. When everyone blocks it makes it easy on the runner."

The Lions (0-9) drove into field goal range on their ensuing possession, but had a 33-yard attempt by Jason Hanson blocked. Jones-Drew scored again, this time on an 8-yard burst with 42 seconds left in the quarter to give the Jaguars a 24-3 halftime edge.

David Garrard, who connected on touchdown strikes to Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson in the second half, completed 18-of-25 passes for 238 yards.

"We definitely wanted to balance our running game again," Garrard said. "We've been feeling like where is it at these last few weeks and to be able to come out and really impose our will in the run game was a great thing because that's a lot of what we used to do all last year. It was good for this offense."

Stanton finished 6-of-8 for 94 yards but was the victim of five of Jacksonville's seven sacks on the day.

Marinelli would not commit to a starter for next week.

"I felt both of them did some good things," he said. "Daunte still has a strong arm, and both of them have some mobility."

Rookie Kevin Smith collected 96 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries for Detroit.