Lions True Masters of Overtime : NFC: They become first NFL team to win in extra period three times in one season, defeating the Giants, 28-25.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. —  Jason Hanson kicked a 24-yard field goal with 8:17 left in overtime after Barry Sanders made a critical play after catching a flare pass to keep the drive alive and the Detroit Lions became the first NFL team to win three overtime games in a season by defeating the New York Giants, 28-25, Sunday.

Sanders set up a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter with a 62-yard run and got the Lions in position for the game-winning field goal by gaining nine yards after catching the flare pass.

“I believe if I get the ball in my hands that sooner or later something will break,” said Sanders, who rushed for 146 yards, giving him 1,035 yards this season.

Sanders, who joined Eric Dickerson as the only NFL back to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons, did little in the first three quarters.

But then came his two crucial plays. His 62-yard run in the fourth quarter set up a one-yard touchdown pass from Scott Mitchell to Herman Moore and Sanders’ flare-pass play on third and nine from the Lions’ 25 in overtime helped set up Hanson’s game-winner.

Sanders made two tacklers miss after catching the pass and then ran over safety John Booty for the final two yards.

“That run he made on the swing pass was the greatest run I’ve ever seen him make,” Lion Coach Wayne Fontes said. “When you consider the circumstances, if we don’t make the first down, we have to give up the ball and probably lose. There is something special about him.”

Four plays later, Sanders ran for 16 yards and then the officials struck.

On first and 10 from the New York 36, Mitchell, who threw two touchdown passes to Moore, threw to him at the 33. Giant safety Jarvis Williams knocked Moore to a knee, but the officials didn’t blow the play dead. Moore got up and was tackled at the seven.

“Sure, his knee was down,” Giant cornerback Thomas Randolph said. “I wouldn’t stop if his knee didn’t touch the ground. The whole team stopped. Even Detroit stopped.”

Referee Gary Lane would not comment on the play.