Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

The ex-Lions coach told his players he wanted to be carried off the field after beating old team

The Bills held the Lions to just 263 yards of offense and 14 points%2C none in the second half

As Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz ran onto Ford Field to celebrate his team's last-second 17-14 win over his former team today, two of his linebackers picked him up, hoisted him on their shoulders and paraded him toward midfield.

Randell Johnson, one of the players who gave Schwartz the celebratory lift, said they just were doing what Schwartz asked back in Organized Team Activities this spring.

"He said that once he plays his former team that he wanted to be carried off and chant and have fun, and we just tried to make a dream come true," Johnson said.

Schwartz went 29-51 in five seasons as Lions coach and was fired unceremoniously after losing six of seven games to finish last season.

He downplayed his return to Ford Field in interviews with reporters this week, but behind closed doors it was clear Schwartz was fired up to face his old team.

"He was excited," Johnson said. "He was eager for this game, he was ready for this game, probably this whole season."

The Bills (3-2) held the Lions to just 263 yards of offense and sacked quarterback Matthew Stafford six times. The Lions didn't score in the second half, after Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush left with ankle injuries.

"I think as a defense we play for Coach Schwartz," said cornerback Stephon Gilmore, whose second-half interception helped swing momentum Buffalo's way. "That's what we did. We wanted to play."

Before the game, Schwartz, who helped dig the Lions out of their 0-16 season and led them to their first playoff appearance in a dozen years in 2011, talked with several of his former players and assistants as he milled around the field. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was among those who approached Schwartz with a hug, and Lions president Tom Lewand stopped for a handshake.

Bills coach Doug Marrone gave Schwartz a gameball after the game.

"He just ran on the field and we just picked him up. He was just like, 'What the ...'" Johnson said. "We were just happy. All the Detroit players came up to him thanking him and being like, 'Good job,' and stuff like that."