Lions look for encore against Bears
So what do the Detroit Lions do for an encore?
The Lions certainly weren't patting themselves on the back a day after they ended a 19-game losing streak. Perhaps that's the best sign the team is on its way toward truly shedding the memory of the NFL's first 0-16 season.
"The game shouldn't have been that close," coach Jim Schwartz said of the Lions' 19-14 victory over the Redskins.
He was quick to add, however, that getting the win - his first as a head coach - will make it a lot easier to plan for Sunday's trip to Soldier Field to play the Bears.
"We can worry about Chicago this week instead of worrying about Chicago and the baggage from the last couple of years," Schwartz said.
Schwartz even sent his players back onto the field after Sunday's win to celebrate with fans but said he hopes future victories don't require such fanfare.
"The people of Detroit deserve to be excited," he said. "But if we get things going the way they should go, we shouldn't get that excited after a win unless it gets us into the playoffs or keeps us in the playoffs."
A loss would've left the Lions with the second-longest losing streak in league history.
The Lions allowed the Redskins to catch up in the second half but cashed in on enough opportunities to earn the win. Detroit (1-2) rushed for 154 yards while allowing 65, rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked just twice and the Lions never turned the ball over.
Running back Kevin Smith was especially proud of the first number.
"I see growth," he said. "We're still growing but we did what we had to do to win the game."
Smith appeared ready to set a new career yardage mark against the Redskins but left in the third quarter with a right shoulder injury. He didn't return and finished with 101 yards.
Schwartz did not offer details of the injury, saying only that Smith underwent tests and will be evaluated later in the week.
"I'm not ready if we had to play tomorrow," Smith said, adding that he's experienced swelling around the shoulder. "I'm 22 years old and I usually heal pretty fast."
Maurice Morris replaced Smith in the backfield and scored the game-winning touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
Former coach Rod Marinelli, fired after last season's winless run, will be coaching against the Lions this Sunday. Bears coach Lovie Smith hired him as a defensive line coach a few months after he was sacked by the Lions.
Seahawks coach recants: Coach Jim Mora has recanted his blistering criticism of Olindo Mare. He now says the Seahawks will not have a new kicker this weekend at Indianapolis.
Mora said Monday that he spoke with too much knee-jerk emotion less than 24 hours earlier, after Mare missed 2 field goals in a 6-point home loss to the Bears.
Mora said following the loss that the Seahawks would look at making changes everywhere. He aimed some of his most pointed comments about Mare.
Bucs bench QB Leftwich: The winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers benched starting quarterback Byron Leftwich and replaced him with second-year pro Josh Johnson, who takes over following one of the worst offensive performances in team history. Coach Raheem Morris made the change Monday, a day after the Bucs fell to 0-3 while gaining just 86 yards in a 24-0 loss to the New York Giants. Leftwich completed 7 of 16 passes for 22 yards and 1 interception.
Around the league: San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore underwent an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of damage to his injured right ankle. Gore reinjured the ankle on his only carry during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He left the game after a 4-yard gain and did not return. ... New York Jets receiver David Clowney was benched by an angry coach Rex Ryan for the team's game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday after Clowney complained on Twitter about a lack of playing time. ... Miami Dolphins QB Chad Pennington dislocated his right shoulder and may seek a second opinion to determine how long he'll be sidelined. ... St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger has a bruised rotator cuff on his throwing arm but has not been ruled out for Sunday's game at San Francisco. ... Dwight Freeney spent the first three quarters Sunday night in the Arizona Cardinals backfield. He was relegated to watching the final 15 minutes from the Colts locker room. The Colts are hoping Freeney won't be a spectator this Sunday after hurting his right quadriceps in Indy's 31-10 victory over the Cardinals. ... The Washington Redskins expect defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to be OK despite a hip injury that forced him out of Sunday's 19-14 loss to the Detroit Lions.