Lions dodge a bullet after poor defensive effort against Jameis Winston

Despite their best efforts to lose, the Detroit Lions (7-4) escaped with a 34-27 overtime victory over the New York Giants (2-10).

The Lions entered the week as big favorites, with some, not going to name names, believing that the Lions' defense dodged a bullet after the news that the Giants' quarterback Jameis Winston would start in place of rookie sensation Jaxson Dart. Well, the defense did dodge a bullet, but it wasn't because of Winston starting.

Winston threw for a staggering 366 yards with two touchdowns. Winston only rushed for 13 yards on the ground, but thanks to some trickery, he caught a 33-yard TD pass from WR Gunner Olszewski. The Lions' defense gave up numerous big passing plays, with Winston masterfully evading the Lions' pass rush throughout the game.

The Giants had numerous opportunities late to put the Lions away. After the Lions scored a TD to bring the score to within three, Winston immediately threw his only interception of the day. The INT put the Lions on the Giants 45. However, dodging a bullet themselves, the Giants' defense forced the Lions to punt.

On the Giants' ensuing drive, they marched down the field 86 yards, getting as close as the Lions' two-yard line. A four-yard loss on a rush brought the Giants to fourth down. Got to kick it, right? Force the Lions to get a TD? Evidently not. Winston threw an incomplete pass on fourth down, allowing the Lions a chance to tie. After a Jared Goff pass to running back Jahmyr Gibbs lost five yards, the Lions were forced to attempt a franchise-record 59-yard field goal to send it to overtime. Thankfully, Bates kicked it through the uprights.

Overtime was quick, but not easy

Because this isn't hockey, and points aren't awarded for an overtime loss, the Lions had to come up big in overtime to salvage their playoff and division title hopes. For once, the offense did not waste any time. On the first play of overtime, Goff handed the ball off to Gibbs, and he took it to the house for a 69-yard TD.

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For the first time all game, the Lions had a lead. It was up to the defense to stop Winston one last time. Winston did not make it easy. On fourth and ten, Winston scrambled for 11 yards to keep the Giants alive. The Giants marched all the way down to the Lions' 27-yard line. On fourth and five, the Lions did something that eluded them all game -- get a sack. Star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson finally brought Winston to the ground, sealing and stealing the victory for the Lions.

The Lions won, but there's no time to celebrate or process it. The Green Bay Packers are coming to town for a Week 1 rematch this Thursday for Thanksgiving. If the defense plays as poorly as it did on Sunday, Lions fans might find themselves bringing up politics to avoid football talk.