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Lions hold off Bills in preseason finale

DETROIT -- Matthew Stafford threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson, and the Detroit Lions went on to beat the Buffalo Bills 38-32 Thursday night.

What we learned Thursday

Week 4 of the preseason isn't the most exciting time on the NFL calendar, but there was still plenty to take out of the 13 games on Thursday's schedule. Dan Hanzus breaks it all down. **More ...**

Stafford and Johnson went to the sideline healthy after their only drive to make the Lions happy that their dynamic duo avoided injuries in the fourth and final preseason game.

Detroit's offense, defense and special teams contributed toward the Lions (2-2) taking a 28-7 lead in the first quarter over the Bills (0-4).

Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick completed all five of his passes, including a 4-yard TD pass to Stevie Johnson, on his first and last possession.

The Bills gave Tyler Thigpen an extended opportunity to keep his job as their No. 2 QB, and he didn't take advantage of it. Thigpen had an interception returned for a touchdown in his second straight game.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press