Stafford powers Lions to romp

Associated Press

DETROIT

Matthew Stafford’s first game under Jim Caldwell was a success.

Of course, it helps to have a healthy Calvin Johnson running free behind the opposing secondary.

Stafford improvised brilliantly on two early touchdown passes to Johnson, and Detroit beat the New York Giants 35-14 on Monday night in Caldwell’s first game as Lions coach.

Stafford also ran for a TD for Detroit, which intercepted Eli Manning twice in the Lions’ first Monday night opener since 1971. It was a bright start for Detroit, which collapsed down the stretch last year and missed the postseason. Jim Schwartz was fired and replaced by Caldwell.

Stafford went 22 of 32 for 346 yards. Johnson had seven catches for 164 yards.

Manning was 18 of 33 for 163 yards and a touchdown for the Giants, who started 0-6 last season and never led in their 2014 opener.