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Stafford throws for TD, Lions pound mistake-prone Pats

Aug 23, 2013 - 2:58 AM Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Matthew Stafford completed 12-of-25 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown, as the Detroit Lions pounded the New England Patriots, 40-9, on Thursday in the third preseason game for both teams.

Reggie Bush caught five passes for 103 yards, while backup quarterback Kellen Moore finished an efficient 9-of-12 passing for 150 yards and two scores for the Lions, who received a touchdown grab apiece from tight ends Joseph Furia and Tony Scheffler.

Tom Brady played the entire first half under center for the Patriots, who turned the ball over four times in their first five drives. Brady finished 16- of-24 passing for 185 yards with an interception.

Rookie wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins was the lone bright spot for New England, hauling in eight passes for 116 yards to lead all receivers.

Brady led the Pats deep into Detroit territory on the opening drive of the game, but Zach Sundfeld fumbled the ball at the Detroit 10 to end the trek.

David Akers knocked down a 23-yard field goal on Detroit's ensuing touch, but missed a 31-yarder following a Brandon Bolden fumble later in the first.

Brady was picked off by Chris Houston on New England's next touch, and four plays later, Stafford hit Scheffler for a 9-yard score to make it 10-0.

A Shane Vereen fumble on the third play of the Patriots' ensuing possession set up a 31-yard field goal from Akers to push the lead to 13-0 before Stephen Gostkowski connected on a 31-yarder of his own to get the Pats on the board.

Akers nailed a 49-yard field goal late in the first half before Moore took over under center to start the second and led the Lions on an 8-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in a 22-yard scoring strike to Fauria for a 23-3 lead.

Akers added a 47-yarder later in the frame to make it 26-3.

Micheal Spurlock hauled in a 15-yard TD reception from Moore in the fourth and Theo Riddick added a 2-yard touchdown plunge to push the margin to 40-3.

New England backup quarterback Ryan Mallett, who finished 11-of-22 passing for 96 yards, found James Develin for a 9-yard score with under a minute left to account for the final margin.