Detroit Lions vs. Giants: 5 players worth watching closely
The Detroit Lions will host the New York Giants at Ford Field in their preseason home opener on Friday night. Here are five players we’ll be watching closely.
The Detroit Lions struggled in their first preseason matchup of 2018 last week, losing a close game to the Oakland Raiders, 16-10. After that trip to California, the Lions are now back in Motown to host the New York Giants in their preseason home opener at Ford Field on Friday night.
It’s unclear whether starters like quarterback Matthew Stafford or defensive end Ezekiel Ansah will make their preseason debuts in Week Two. But traditionally, first-teamers on both sides of the ball see some playing time in the second exhibition game of the year.
Although everyone wants to see the big names play, here are five other players we’ll be watching closely against the Giants on Friday night.
Jake Rudock, QB
The third-year quarterback is in a heated battle with veteran Matt Cassel for the primary back up role behind Stafford. But neither passer was very successful in their first preseason outing. Rudock completed 12 of his 19 passes against the Raiders for 84 yards. Cassel went 10 of 18 for 81 yards. If Rudock is going to bypass the former New England Patriot passer and much more experienced veteran, he’ll need to separate himself with more production in the preseason.
Ameer Abdullah, RB
Based on his play in the Lions first preseason game and his usage in the joint practices with the Giants this week, Abdullah is still very much in Detroit’s plans as a running back. I fully expect for Motown to give the former second-rounder more opportunities to shine in their second preseason contest and to win himself a role in what is quickly looking like a running back-by-committee situation in the Motor City.
Brandon Powell, WR
Undrafted and unheralded coming out of Florida, the 5-foot-8, 181 pound Powell seemed like an unlikely candidate to make a Lions’ roster already chock full of talented receivers. But the former Gator has been a pleasant surprise this offseason. And in Detroit’s first preseason contest, Powell led the team with five receptions for 34 yards plus had one of the best juggling catches in the league. An encore performance could make final cuts at the receiver position an even tougher decision for the Lions.
Anthony Zettel, DE
The third-year defensive end recorded four total tackles in Oakland during the Lions’ first preseason game. Zettel was also held during a play that caused a big Marshawn Lynch touchdown run to be reversed. The young pass rusher was arguably the defensive line’s most active player last week. With both Ziggy Ansah and Kerry Hyder coming off injuries, Detroit needs the former sixth-rounder to step up his play. More proof of his development could show itself Friday night.
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Kerryon Johnson, RB
Let’s not kid ourselves. Everyone will be watching the Lions’ 2018 second-round pick out of Auburn. Johnson put on a show in game one that had Pro Football Focus claiming the rookie posted the top running back performance of the preseason so far. With the number two overall pick in rookie running back Saquon Barkley on the other side of the field, it could be Johnson who once again steals his luster.