Hill, Lions top Jets

Detroit, MI – Shaun Hill had a touchdown pass as the Detroit Lions took a 26-17 win over the New York Jets in the preseason opener for both clubs on Friday.

Hill went 11-for-18 for 136 yards, while starter Matthew Stafford was 3-for-8 for 58 yards over two series for the Lions, who finished dead last in the NFC North last year with a 4-12 record.

Calvin Johnson, fresh off his record-setting season in 2012, caught all three of Stafford's completions.

Mark Sanchez threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown on his first series, but settled down from there and went 10-for-13 with 125 yards and a score for the Jets, who went 6-10 to tie for last place in the AFC East last season.

Second-round pick Geno Smith made his NFL debut on Friday, but it was a short one as he went 6-for-7 for 47 yards and left early in the third quarter after rolling his right ankle. The Jets haven't released any word on the extent of the injury, or whether Smith will miss any time.

Ziggy Ansah's first defensive series in the NFL proved fruitful as the fifth overall pick in the 2013 draft intercepted a Sanchez pass and took it into the end zone from 14 yards out for a 7-0 lead.

Detroit's second offensive possession saw the team get into field goal range and David Akers boot a 47-yarder for a 10-0 lead.

The Jets answered on their following possession as Sanchez marched the team down the field and got into the end zone as he hit Jeff Cumberland for a 26- yard score.

A Matt Willis 15-yard touchdown catch from Hill and 35-yard field goal by Akers in the second quarter gave the Lions a 20-7 lead going into the halftime break.

Zach Rogers caught an 11-yard score from Greg McEleroy and Nick Folk hit a 51- yard field goal for the Jets in the third quarter, while Harvard Rugland connected on a 49-yard field goal for the Lions in the third to make it a 23-17 game going into the fourth.

Rugland's 50-yard field goal accounted for the only points of the fourth quarter to cap the scoring in the game.