NFC Wild Card: Matthew Stafford, Golden Tate connect on 51-yard TD (Video)

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) warm-up prior to facing the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) warm-up prior to facing the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Lions struck first in their NFC Wild Card matchup against the Dallas Cowboys with a 51-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Golden Tate.

It sure didn’t take the Detroit Lions offense long to get going Sunday in the NFC Wild Card round against the Dallas Cowboys.

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Less than four minutes into the contest, Matthew Stafford and Golden Tate connected on a 51-yard touchdown that put Detroit up 7-0.

Watch video of the touchdown below:

That’s a heck of play by Tate to beat his man and then evade and outrun the rest of the pursuing Cowboys defenders.

The Lions are big underdogs in this game, but plays like that are what they need if they are to pull off the upset.

Tate often gets overshadowed by fellow Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, but the Notre Dame product has been a huge asset for Detroit this season. Tate caught 99 passes for 1,331 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Stafford had a down season in 2014, but still finished with 4,257 yards and 22 touchdowns.

The Lions entered the contest with an 11-5 records while the Cowboys are 12-4 (all four losses came at home).

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