By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer
DETROIT (AP) -- Eric Mangini might have some more explaining to do Monday.
The embattled Cleveland Browns coach got his inept offense prepared well enough to score a franchise-record 24 points in the first quarter.
Mangini, though, couldn't do enough to help Cleveland hold on for a much-needed victory.
If Mangini didn't call a timeout, Matthew Stafford wouldn't have been able to throw a game-winning touchdown with no time left that lifted the Detroit Lions to a 38-37 win Sunday.
"We had the timeout so at that point I thought it was a good idea to use it," Mangini explained. "Look at it, and get the guys in spots we thought they needed to be in."
The last time the Browns (1-9) had the ball, Brady Quinn threw an incomplete pass that aided Detroit's comeback.
"If they would've run the ball and still not made the first down, they could've burned another 40 seconds," Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said.
Quinn -- who threw four TDs -- missed Mohamed Massaquoi on third-and-5 from his 42.
"If he hits that pass, we win the game," Mangini said.
It didn't work out, giving Stafford the ball back with 1:46 remaining and no timeouts.
For a change, the Lions (2-8) took advantage of opportunities thanks to a gutsy play from the No. 1 pick in the draft. They snapped a six-game losing streak and avoided being the NFL's first team to endure a 2-32 stretch.
Stafford threw his fifth touchdown pass -- the most by a rookie in more than six decades -- with his right arm while his left shoulder throbbed with pain.
"It didn't feel good, but I didn't care," he said. "It was one play. I knew I didn't have to play too much. Just one snap and try to throw the TD."
Stafford connected with fellow first-round pick Brandon Pettigrew for a 1-yard score -- thanks to a penalty -- and Jason Hanson kicked the extra point.
"That was wild," Stafford said with ice strapped around his shoulder.
Stafford became the first rookie to throw five TDs in a game since Ray Buivid for the Bears in 1937, according to STATS LLC.
Detroit was given the untimed play because safety Hank Poteat was called for pass interference in the end zone when Stafford heaved a desperation attempt.
"Once the quarterback rotated out of the pocket and they were in the end zone, you try to force the receiver out of bounds," Poteat said.
Stafford was hit after his throw to the end zone drew a flag and replaced by Daunte Culpepper, who went back to the sideline when Mangini called timeout.
"There was no one who was going to stop him from going back on the field," Schwartz said. "He had come way too far in that game to not finish it."
Schwartz said X-rays showed Stafford's collarbone wasn't broken, adding more tests are needed.
"Matt's best play of the day might have been eluding four team doctors to get back on the field," Schwartz joked.
Stafford threw three of his TDs in the first half to rally Detroit from a 24-3 deficit.
He was 26 of 43 for 422 yards, the most by a Lion in a win. He threw two interceptions, the second of which looked as if it might doom Detroit. Stafford tried to throw long to Calvin Johnson, who was triple-covered, and Brodney Pool picked it off in the end zone with 3:49 left.
That came after Quinn connected with Michael Gaines with 5:44 left to put the Browns ahead.
The Lions and Browns have been the NFL's worst teams since 1999, but they combined to play an entertaining game.
When it was over, Cleveland players were sprawled all over the field as the Lions celebrated. Former Detroit defensive tackle Shaun Rogers went down on a knee for several moments to contemplate his latest loss after futilely trying to block the extra point.
"I'm sick about the outcome," Mangini said.
It's not of much consolation, but Cleveland showed a pulse on offense after going three games without a TD and surpassing its season high in points before the first quarter ended.
Quinn, who started the game with three TD passes in three seasons, was 21 of 33 for 304 yards and did not throw an
interception.
"You're never happy when you don't get a win," Quinn said.
NOTES: Detroit RB Kevin Smith had a career-high 149 yards of offense (104 receiving, 45 rushing). ... Browns owner Randy Lerner declined comment via e-mail about his search for a person to run his team after former NFL general manager Charlie Casserly said on CBS he has not spoken to the Browns, adding the team has contacted
Mike Holmgren. ... Josh Cribbs scored less than a week after he was strapped to a backboard and wheeled into an ambulance in Monday's loss to Baltimore.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
