The Detroit Lions snap their three-game losing streak with 31-26 victory over the New York Giants, thanks to a big day from their passing attack.
Their running game continues to be stuck in the mud, and the injuries continue to mount. Still, the Detroit Lions’ dynamic passing attack was enough to help snap their three-game losing skid on Sunday.
Matthew Stafford threw for 342 yards and three scores and receiver Kenny Golladay tied and set a career-high with his fifth and sixth touchdown catches as the Lions beat the New York Giants 31-26 for their first win in over a month.
The Lions marched into Giants territory with ease on their first drive, before Stafford was picked off by Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins to snuff out a scoring opportunity. However just three plays into New York’s ensuing drive, Jones threw an incomplete backward pass under pressure, constituting a fumble. Linebacker Devon Kennard scooped it up and returned it 13 yards for his first career touchdown, giving the Lions an early seven-point lead.
Stafford hit wideout Marvin Hall on a perfect 49-yard touchdown bomb on their next drive, extending their lead. Hall, signed off the street in September, finsihed with just the one catch, giving him five on the year. A dangerous emerging deep threat from the slot, Hall is averaging over 40 yards per reception this season.
The Giants sliced the lead in half after Jones found rookie receiver Darius Slayton for a 22-yard touchdown grab early in the second quarter. Jones was a perfect 6-6 throwing for 77 yards on the drive. Slayton finished with two scores and 50 receiving yards.
The Lions opened the second half with a 10-play, 75-yard drive which ended in a 9-yard touchdown toss to receiver Kenny Golladay, his fifth score of the year, matching his total from 2018. The Giants answered with a 2-yard touchdown toss to tight end Evan Engram, on a drive aided by some critical Lions penalties.
Lions safety Tracy Walker was injured on that scoring play, just days after Detroit lost depth at the position by trading team captain Quandre Diggs. Walker left the field and did not return to the game.
The Lions boosted their lead on a 41-yard touchdown pass to Golladay early in the fourth quarter off of a flea-flicker play. It’s the second time this season that the Lions have hit on a 50-plus yard passing play to Golladay, and this one resulted in his career-high sixth touchdown catch.
The Lions overcame seven penalties that awarded New York 75 yards. Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 322 yards and set a career-high with 4 touchdown passes. Former Lion Golden Tate led the Giants with 85 yards on eight receptions.
In their first game without starting tailback Kerryon Johnson, the Lions finished with just 59 yards on the ground. Edge rusher Trey Flowers registered his second and third sacks of the season on consecutive plays in the fourth quarter for the Lions.
The Lions finish the first half of the regular season on Sunday, November 3rd at 4:05 P.M. EST when they hit the road to face the Oakland Raiders.