Approach to the Game – Detroit Lions at New York Giants, November 19, 2000: This is a very important game – a conference opponent that is competing directly with the Giants for a playoff spot. And just as importantly, the Giants want to maintain their first place standing in the NFC East. For those fans who were loud in supporting the Giants last week at the Stadium, the team really needs you this week.
The Lions are very similar to the Giants. They have a very good defense and like to run the ball. Meanwhile, their passing game has remained inconsistent. This game will be an old-fashioned slugfest. It will be a physical, low-scoring contest most likely decided by turnovers and special teams play.
Giants on Offense: The temperature is dropping and the wind is starting to pick up in the Meadowlands. It’s time to crank up that diesel – Ron Dayne. The Lions have a very strong defense all across the board. They have a good defensive line, linebackers, and defensive backs. Opposing teams do not move the ball well on them or put up a lot of points. To make matters worse, the Lions do well in taking the ball away and this has been a major factor in their 6-victory season thus far. Detroit has an NFC-leading 28 take-aways this year. While the Giants don’t want to go into a conservative shell, the last thing they want to do is get too risky with the football and turn the ball over. That suggests that a heavy dose of Dayne is in order.
Dayne said he learned from the short-yardage failures in the Rams game to be more physical. Head Coach Jim Fassel said he has noticed a difference in Dayne even this week. That is good because the Lions will be gearing up to stop the rookie. Up front, the Lions are very active. DE Robert Porcher and DT Luther Ellis are the best of the bunch. Porcher (like Michael Strahan) has been criticized by fans for not being productive enough, but he is coming off of a very strong game. Luke Petitgout will face him most of the time, but the Lions moved Robert around quite a bit last week. To me, the biggest concern is the Ellis-LG Mike Rosenthal match-up. Ellis is a load who can stuff the run and rush the passer. Rosenthal may need double-team support from OC Dusty Zeigler. RG Ron Stone should be OK against DT James Jones as should LT Lomas Brown versus DE Tracy Scroggins.
Detroit’s real play-maker against the run is MLB Stephen Boyd. He is very active and instinctive and it is absolutely critical for the Giants’ blockers to successfully engage him. SLB Allen Aldridge and WLB Chris Claiborne are also very active against the run. TE Howard Cross needs to come up with a big effort in the run blocking department. The Giants may also want to get the linebackers to play a bit back on their heels by throwing the ball short early to TE Pete Mitchell, FB Greg Comella, and/or HB Tiki Barber.
The Lions are strong at cornerback with first rounders Bryant Westbrook and Terry Fair. Westbrook normally lines up on the left side of the defense, but I wonder if Detroit will move him around to cover Amani Toomer (due to Amani’s height). Safeties Corwin Brown (if ailing starter Ron Rice does not play) and Kurt Schulz are not top athletes, but they are tough, opportunistic competitors. Both play the run well.
Points will be hard to come by. Detroit has kept five of its ten opponents to 14 points or less. Every point opportunity is critical to the outcome. The Giants must keep the Lions honest by effectively running the ball and then using play-action to beat the safeties in coverage. What the Giants can ill-afford is turnovers. QB Kerry Collins is on the spot. He will be playing against a very tough, opportunistic defense that gives up few points. A lot of pressure will be on his shoulders to generate some big plays while not getting sloppy with the football. Detroit can rush the passer and has good cover men. If the play isn’t there, he needs to throw the ball away rather than force it or take the sack. Field position in this game will be critical and perhaps decisive. It may not be exciting, but a safe seven-yard gain on 3rd-and-10 rather than a 6-yard loss on a sack may determine the outcome of the contest.
This brings us back to where we started – Ron Dayne. He needs to have a bigtime breakout game. Of course, he needs his offensive line to play much more efficiently and physically than it did last week. Get those 2nd- and 3rd-and short yardage opportunities. Move the sticks and put some points up on the board.
Giants on Defense: The Lions love to run the football. They have a big, physical offensive line and a running back (James Stewart) who is primarily a no-frills, north-south runner who will pound the ball right at you. This will be an old-fashioned slugfest and both teams will be sore and tired after the game.
But a word of caution to the Giants. I watched much of the Lions’ game against the Falcons last week and the Lions did an excellent job of crossing up Atlanta early by throwing the ball and running a trick play (a wide receiver option pass). Detroit also likes to run the reverse. WR Herman Moore, who has not been having a productive year for him this season, was employed heavily on the first drive as QB Charlie Batch went up top and drove the Lions down the field for seven points on their very first drive. This put the Detroit defense in a more comfortable position of dealing with a lead. Defensive Coordinator John Fox and his troops need to be very cautious that the Lions don’t try the same strategy, particularly early. It will be interesting to see if Fox has CB Jason Sehorn follow Moore around. CB Dave Thomas faces a tough match-up whether it be against Moore or WR Johnnie Morton.
Defending the short pass will also be important. TE David Sloan is a good one, but he is ailing with a hamstring and back injury. If he plays, the Giants, particularly SLB Ryan Phillips and MLB Mike Barrow, must cover him well. The Lions also like to throw to James Stewart out of the backfield a lot – again, linebacker coverage is critical. FB Corey Schlesinger and 3rd-down back Mario Bates are other options.
But what this game will largely come down to is the Giants’ run defense versus the Lions’ rush offense. The play of the front seven on defense will be key. DE Cedric Jones faces the mammoth rookie Stockar McDougle. DE Mike Strahan battles reserve RT Barrett Brooks. Both Jones and Strahan will be at a significant size disadvantage against their opponents; both will have to play with great technique, leverage, and quickness to defeat their opponents’ run blocks. Inside, this game is made for a guy like DT Christian Peter. He will face RG Jeff Hartings, a very good guard. The Giants need DT Keith Hamilton to control his contest with LG Tony Semple. They also need very strong and active games from WLB Jessie Armstead, Barrow, and Phillips. At the same time, the linebackers (and safeties especially) must be VERY careful of play-action. No cheapies!
QB Charlie Batch has struggled this year and the Giants need to keep his confidence down by getting after him. At the same time, they also need to be wary of his scrambling ability. The Giants got burned bigtime last week with quarterback scrambles. These type of plays keep drives alive and raise confidence.
Special Teams: The Giants must at least break even here. PR/KR Desmond Howard is one of the best in the business. Good kick/punt coverage starts with strong boots from PK Brad Daluiso and P Brad Maynard. Then it will be up to the coverage men to stay in their lanes, avoid blocks, and make the tackle. Since this is bound to be a low-scoring affair, Daluiso also needs to come through on all of his field goal opportunities. His competition, PK Jason Hanson, is outstanding. It will be interesting to see if the Lions try any deception on specials after seeing the Rams success last week. Tiki Barber needs to break one on punt returns; and his blockers need to give him some help. With Ron Dixon sidelined again, Bashir Levingston retains the kickoff return duties.