Detroit battered Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on Sunday in a 21-19 defeat that put the Lions on top of the NFL's National Conference North division.
Matthew Stafford threw three touchdown passes - two of them to Calvin Johnson - as the Lions notched a key victory over a Bears team that went into the day tied with Detroit and Green Bay atop the division.
The Lions improved to 6-3 and, with Green Bay's 27-13 loss to Philadelphia, assumed the outright lead in the NFC North.
Worse for Chicago and Green Bay, both their quarterbacks departed with injuries.
Chicago's Jay Cutler, looking less mobile after a groin injury, was hit all day and sat out the last series with what the Bears said was a left ankle injury.
The Packers, already missing starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers with a broken collarbone, had backup Seneca Wallace leave after one series of downs.
Scott Tolzien, signed to the active roster from the practice squad this week, threw two interceptions and finished 24-of-39 for 280 yards in the defeat.
Denver quarterback Peyton Manning was also hurting after a 28-20 victory at San Diego.
Manning passed for 330 yards and four touchdowns for the Broncos, playing under interim coach Jack Del Rio as John Fox continues to recover from heart valve surgery.
But the superstar quarterback took numerous big hits that left him "pretty sore" and appeared to be favouring his right ankle. He said he'd have a MRI to assess the damage.
The Jacksonville Jaguars nabbed their first win of the season, edging the Tennessee Titans 29-27.
In Baltimore, Justin Tucker's 46-yard field goal in overtime helped the Ravens beat division leaders Cincinnati 20-17 in an AFC North contest.
It was another close one in San Francisco, where the Carolina Panthers edged the 49ers 10-9 in a tight, defensive battle.
However in New Orleans, Drew Brees threw for 392 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Saints to an emphatic 49-17 victory over Dallas.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Seahawks to a fifth straight victory, 33-10 over Atlanta, St Louis rookie receiver Tavon Austin scored three touchdowns as the Rams surprised Indianapolis 38-8, the New York Giants beat Oakland 24-20, Pittsburgh defeated Buffalo 23-10 and Arizona downed the Houston Texans 27-24.
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