The New York Giants entered Week 11 with a 7-2 record and took on a Detroit Lions team many thought they would dispatch with ease. But that’s not what happened.
With winds swirling at more than 30 MPH, the Giants looked like a shell of themselves. Sloppy play, self-inflicted wounds and injuries would quickly become the story of the game. Even Daniel Jones, who had not thrown an interception since Week 3, turned the ball over leading to seven Detroit points. And then he tossed another.
It was a Murphy’s Law sort of day for the Giants. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. And with a short turnaround before a Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys, Big Blue fell to 7-3 on the season.
There was nothing redeeming about Sunday’s performance.
Final score: Lions 31, Giants 18
Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | |
Giants | 6 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 18 |
Lions | 3 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
Keys to the game
- Giants lost the turnover battle, 3-0.
- New York was penalized eight times for 63 yards (Lions five for 45).
- Giants surrendered two sacks and recorded none of their own.
- New York averaged just 3.4 yards per rush (Saquon Barkley averaged 1.5 ypc).
- Giants lost time of possession, 31:48 to 28:12.
It was over when...
Quarterback Daniel Jones threw his second interception of the game on a fourth-and-5 midway through the third quarter.
The desperation pick came after a third-and-6 run from around the 40-yard line, which was a curious call. That forced Jones, who was under pressure, to lob the ball down the field and it ended up sailing on him.
The Lions returned the ball 38 yards to their side of the field and although they did nothing with it, it was far more than the Giants were able to overcome with the game at 24-6 at the time.
Players of the game
- WR Wan’Dale Robinson (9 rec., 100 yards)
- CB Darnay Holmes (4 tackles, all solo)
- RB Matt Breida (29 total yards, 1 TD)
Injuries
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams left the game late in the first quarter and headed into the blue medical tent. He returned midway through the second quarter.
Early in the second quarter, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson was taken down in a mass of bodies while returning a punt. He stayed down briefly and then immediately headed into the blue medical tent. The team listed him as questionable to return but later downgraded him to out.
Right tackle Tyre Phillips left the game early in the second quarter and was promptly listed as questionable to return with a neck injury. He was replaced by Matt Peart and later downgraded to out.
Late in the second quarter, defensive back Jason Pinnock got whipped around while making a tackle and stayed on the turf for an extended period of time. He was helped off the field by trainers but did eventually return only to be injured again late in the fourth quarter. He did not return a second time.
Coming out of halftime, the Giants announced that cornerback Fabian Moreau suffered a rib injury and was questionable to return but later downgraded to out.
Late in the third quarter, center Jon Feliciano left the game with a neck injury and listed as questionable to return. He was replaced by Nick Gates.
Early in the fourth quarter, wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson went down awkwardly after picking up a first down and immediately grabbed his knee. He had to be carried into the locker-room by multiple trainers and was immediately ruled out.
What's next?
Head coach Brian Daboll will hold a Zoom call with the team’s beat writers on Monday afternoon before a few players are also made available.
Big Blue will return to practice on Tuesday ahead of a Week 12 game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 24 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is 4:30 pm ET.