DETROIT -- Running back Reggie Bush had five catches for 103 yards to help the Detroit Lions rout the New England Patriots 40-9 on Thursday night.
The Patriots' first-team offense, which was precise and efficient in the first two games of the preseason, was anything but in game No. 3. Tight end Zach Sudfeld and running backs Brandon Bolden and Shane Vereen lost fumbles, and Tom Brady threw an interception in four of New England's first five possessions. The other possession was a three-and-out that ended with Zoltan Mesko's punt.
Brady played four series in the first two preseason games combined, completing 18 of his 20 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns in two victories. But in a half of work Thursday at Ford Field, he was 16 of 24 for 185 yards and the second-quarter interception by Lions cornerback Chris Houston.
Detroit starter Matthew Stafford also played the entire first half and helped lead the Lions' first-team offense to a better showing than it had in its first two preseason efforts. The starters played seven series in those games -- a win over the New York Jets and a loss in Cleveland -- and managed just two field goals. Stafford finished 12-of-25 passing for 166 yards.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press
