After a low-scoring first half, the Redskins and Lions traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but Washington was unable to leave Ford Field with a victory.

Fourth Quarter: Redskins 17, Lions 20Continuing their drive that started in the third quarter, the Lions had 1st-and-10 from the 13-yard line, but the Redskins' defense was hold off Detroit to just three points, as Trent Murphy recorded a strip sack – Matthew Stafford would recover – before offensive holding was called. Washington didn't allow a conversion on third down, bring Matt Prater onto the field for a field goal.

Washington would strike back, though, in the form of a 75-yard touchdown drive culminating with Robert Kelley's first career NFL touchdown.

On the drive, Kirk Cousins was able to find Jamison Crowder for a 26-yard gain and Vernon Davis for a 27-yard gain, a completion that would give the Redskins 1st-and-goal from the one-yard line.

Detroit would have little success moving the ball on their next drive, as Washington's defense held the offense to just seven yards on five plays before punting. Chris Baker and Preston Smith combined for a sack on 2nd-and-8 to push the Lions back into a bad spot on third down, one that they would not convert on.

Washington once again would score in the fourth quarter, though, as Kirk Cousins scored on a 19-yard run with less than two minutes left to give the Redskins the lead.  

After two short gains on the first two plays of the drive, Cousins found Jamison Crowder up the middle for a 19-yard gain on third down.

Counting to mount a comeback, the Redskins sprinkled in a few Chris Thompson runs with solid passing from Cousins.

Eventually getting into the red zone, Cousins kept the ball on a read option pall with Thompson and strolled on into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.

But the Lions would punch back, driving 75 yards on six plays to score a touchdown, going up 20-17 in the process.

Third Quarter: Redskins 3, Lions 10After electing to receive to start the second half, the Redskins' offense was first out on the field in the third quarter.

Out of the gate, the Redskins picked up 17 yards on the first play, as Kirk Cousins dropped back to hit Pierre Garçon in the middle of the field.

Garçon would pick up another set of new downs three plays later, as he caught a five-yard pass on 3rd-and-3. On the next play, DeSean Jackson got his first reception of the game, a seven-yard gainer.

But the Redskins would be called for false start twice and have to burn a timeout before being unable to covert on a 3rd-and-13. Punter Tress Way came on for the second time in the game, punting a knuckler 27 yards that would be fair caught by Andre Roberts at the 14-yard line.

After holding Justin Forsett to just a two-yard gain on first down, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford broke out for an 18-yard rush on second down.

Detroit would go deep on the next play, gaining 57 yards on a completion to Marvin Jones. Redskins cornerback Josh Norman was injured on the play, as he took a hard fall before being removed from the game and taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion.

After Jones caught another pass to get the Lions to the Redskins' one-yard line, Zach Zenner punched it in for a touchdown, the first Washington has given up in any second half since Week 2.

Washington would get into Detroit territory on the next possession, but a fumbled exchange between Cousins and Jones resulted in a turnover. It was the Redskins' third fumble of the day and second lost.

The Lions took the ball deep into Redskins territory before the end of the quarter.

Second Quarter: Redskins 3, Lions 3
After running one play before the first quarter ended following Matt Jones' fumble, Detroit used a heavy dosage of Justin Forsett on their third drive of the game, as the veteran back gained 24 rushing yards and 15 receiving yards before Matt Prater converted on a 43-yard field goal attempt.

After the Redskins elected to defer the opening kickoff after winning the coin toss, it was Washington's defense that surfaced first on Sunday.

It looked like the Redskins would respond with a field goal make of their own, but Dustin Hopkins clanked a 45-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter.

On the drive, the Redskins rode the ground game even without Matt Jones making an appearance.

Brandon Scherff was also removed from the game with a left shoulder injury. He was replaced in the lineup by Arie Kouandjio and is questionable to return.

Robert Kelley made five appearances on the drive while Chris Thompson had six snaps. Jones, meanwhile, didn't appear.

Detroit's ensuing drive after Hopkins' missed kick lasted just three plays and went six yards backwards, as Ryan Kerrigan tallied sack No. six on third down. Will Blackmon would record a 16-yard punt return before the offense drove 51 yards to record a game-tying field goal before halftime.

Jones re-appeared in the game, as he converted critical 3rd-and-1 before the two-minute warning to keep the drive alive. Following the gain, Kirk Cousins would complete back-to-back passes to Jamison Crowder and Vernon Davis before Chris Thompson gained six yards on a rushing play.

Washington would eventually get down to the Lions' 20-yard line before Hopkins' made kick to end the half.

First Quarter: Redskins 0, Lions 0
After the Redskins elected to defer the opening kickoff after winning the coin toss, it was Washington's defense that surfaced first on Sunday.

The defense was stout on the opening drive, forcing a three-and-out as Matthew Stafford went just 1-of-2 for one yard while running back Zach Zenner – who is getting the start for a depleted running backs group – carried the ball one time for eight yards.

One Redskins lineup note: Donte Whitner Sr. got the start at strong safety this week and appeared on all three snaps instead of Duke Ihenacho.

After a punt pinned Washington to their own 16-yard line, the offense went to work and managed to get to midfield before the drive stalled.

The Redskins' highlight play was a 19-yard completion to Jamison Crowder on 3rd-and-6 to get Washington to midfield, but a Matt Jones fumble (he would recover) along with a sack stopped the offense's progress.

Detroit was able to march 50 yards down the field on their second possession of the contest, benefitting from a wild 3rd-and-10 play where the ball bounced off Bashaud Breeland's helmet and into the hands of Golden Tate for a 16-yard gain.

But on a 49-yard field goal attempt, kicker Matt Prater would pull his kick wide of the uprights, keeping the game knotted at zero.

Washington appeared in position to take advantage of the miscue, driving down the field with ease to set up 1st-and-goal with less than two minutes left in the frame, but as he was fighting for extra yards, Jones coughed up the football before Detroit recovered it for a touchback.