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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:21 a.m., Sunday, November 9, 2008

NFL: New QB, same result: Lions remain winless vs. Jags, 38-14

By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer

DETROIT — The Jacksonville Jaguars got back to their winning formula of relying on their efficient quarterback and tandem of running backs.

Maurice Jones-Drew ran for a career-high three touchdowns in the second quarter alone after Detroit took the lead and David Garrard threw two touchdown passes in the second half, leading the Jaguars to a 38-14 victory today over the winless Lions.

Fred Taylor ran for 80 yards after having 25 yards rushing or fewer in the previous five games. Jones-Drew finished with 70 yards rushing after combining for just 62 in the last two losses.

The Jaguars (4-5) snapped a two-game losing streak, including a setback to winless Cincinnati last week when they ran for just 68 yards.

The Lions (0-9) are off to their worst start since losing their first 12 games in 2001 and they might have what it takes to be the NFL's first 0-16 team.

Daunte Culpepper made his Detroit debut in haste — just five days after signing, ending his brief retirement — and it lasted just three quarters. He was 5-of-10 for 104 yards, including a 51-yard rainbow to Calvin Johnson, with an interception.

The former Vikings quarterback was replaced briefly by Drew Stanton, who took over a drive late in the first quarter and threw a TD pass on his first career attempt to put the Lions ahead 7-3.

Detroit's lead didn't last long.

On the ensuing three possessions, Jones-Drew scored from 6, 1 and 8 yards to give the Jaguars a 24-7 lead at halftime.

Jacksonville opened the second half with a run-first, throw-when-necessary drive and capped a 9:20 possession with Garrard's 7-yard pass to Jerry Porter.

On his next and final drive, Garrard connected with Troy Williamson in the end zone and took 4-plus minutes off the clock.

Garrard was 18-of-25 for 238 yards and two TDs without a turnover. He had a season-high 119.1 passer rating before giving Cleo Lemon a chance to play for the first time this season for the Jaguars.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Stanton converted a fourth down with a pass and rookie Kevin Smith scored to make it 38-14.

Johnson recovered the ensuing kickoff for the Lions, but they turned the ball over on downs at the 29. Stanton, who was sacked five times, was 6-of-8 for 94 yards and a score.

Jacksonville's Matt Jones had a team-high five receptions for 62 yards before leaving the game in the third with a bruised thigh.

Smith had a season-high 96 yards rushing for the Lions, whose schedule only gets tougher with upcoming games at Carolina and at home against Tampa Bay and Tennessee.