Giants two-headed run game a fresh challenge for Detroit Lions defense

The Detroit Lions have struggled to stop the run this season, and on Sunday the New York Giants will provide a fresh challenge. 

The New York Giants are a surprising 7-2 this season, and they have found a formula that works. Saquon Barkley being healthy has been the biggest factor, and he’ll be a huge challenge for a Detroit Lions defense that has been bad against the run more often than not this season.

The Lions have notably struggled to stop running quarterbacks. Daniel Jones is not Justin Fields, but he has already set a career-high with 69 rush attempts in nine games this season to go with Barkley’s 198 carries through nine games. Barkley was the NFL’s leading rusher entering Week 11 (931 yards), and he with 80 yards against the Lions on Sunday he’ll remain ahead of Derrick Henry when the week is over.

The Giants have a bottom-five pass play rate in the league (46.4 percent), by correlation a top-five run rate, and they are 16th in third-down conversion rate (40.8 percent). Forcing the Giants’ offense off-schedule will be essential for the Lions’ defense.

Giants’ two-pronged run game a new challenge for the Detroit Lions defense

Barkley is back to being his elusive, explosive self. He entered Week 11 tied for third in the league in yards after contact (594), and he’s 11th in the league with 30 forced missed tackles. He has 23 runs of 10-plus yards. Barkley also has 29 receptions, as the focal point of New York’s offense.

Jones has run for a first down on 31 of his 69 carries this season. He is averaging 2.51 yards after contact per attempt, with seven forced missed tackles and 16 runs of more than 10 yards (h/t to Ben Raven of MLive).

While the Lions have been gashed on the ground by running backs as well this season, Barkley will be the best back they’ve faced yet. Add in Jones’ running prowess, and the Giants have a combination of a top-end running back and a very good running quarterback the level of which the Lions have not faced this season.

It’s fair to say the Giants’ first drive on Sunday will be telling. If the Lions can make a big play against the run, force a long down and distance situation and get the ball into the hands of their offense, it will be a nice early momentum boost. But getting it done against Barkley/Jones then, or throughout the game, won’t be easy.