DETROIT (AP) -- Tom Brady threw a season-high four touchdown passes, all in the second half, to help the New England Patriots rout the Detroit Lions 45-24.
Brady threw a go-ahead touchdown to Deion Branch early in the fourth quarter after connecting with him on a 79-yard pass to tie the game.
Wes Welker's second TD reception sealed the victory with 6:42 left.
The Patriots are 9-2 and tied with their AFC East rival New York Jets for the NFL's best record after trailing by 11 points late in the first half.
Detroit ended up not being more competitive than it had been in its previous six showcase games losing those by an average of 23.2 points. Still, the Lions fall to 2-9.
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