Giants Hold On to Defeat Lions 16-10; Kiwanuka and Jacobs Hurt: In a critical match-up between two of the NFC’s better teams, the Giants prevailed in Detroit today, beating the Lions 16-10. It was the first time the Lions have lost a game at home this season. The Giants raised their record to 7-3 while the Lions fell to 6-4.
The bad news for the Giants, however, was the injury report. LB Mathias Kiwanuka may be lost for the season with a fractured left fibula. Kiwanuka suffered the injury early in the game when DE Osi Umenyiora inadvertently fell on the leg. HB Brandon Jacobs also pulled his hamstring and was forced to leave the game.
The Giants led 10-0 at halftime and sweated out a couple of late charges by the Lions to hold onto the victory.
The Giants scored the game’s first points on their second offensive possession, driving 81 yards in 10 plays to set up a 28-yard field goal by PK Lawrence Tynes. The Giants blew a chance to add to that lead early in the second quarter when WR Sinorice Moss fumbled the ball away after picking up a first down at the Lions’ 21-yard line.
Late in the second quarter, the Giants did manage to drive 80 yards in 11 plays and score a touchdown, as QB Eli Manning hit Jacobs out of the backfield for the 10-yard score.
The story of the first half for the Giants was a defense that shut out the potentially explosive Lions’ offense. In the first half, the Lions were held to 16 yards rushing on eight carries. And QB Jon Kitna was sacked twice by DE Michael Strahan. LB Antonio Pierce also forced a fumble that SS James Butler recovered.
Things got dicier for the Giants after intermission. Both teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter. The first being a 42-yard effort by Detroit, the second being a 46-yard field goal by Tynes. Between these scoring possessions, the Giants blew another scoring chance. After a 68-yard kickoff return by HB Ahmad Bradshaw, Jacobs fumbled the ball away with Detroit recovering at their own 26-yard line. The Giants also prevented a score when DT Fred Robbins blocked a 52-yard field goal effort by the Lions. Heading into the 4th quarter, the Giants led 13-3.
The Giants had an opportunity to extend this lead further when FS Gibril Wilson intercepted a pass late in the 3rd quarter. Wilson fumbled the ball, but Pierce recovered at the Giants 45-yard line. The Giants were able to drive to the 2-yard line of Detroit, however the G-Men had to settle for another field goal by Tynes, this one a 20-yard effort that put the Giants up 16-3 with just over 11 minutes to play.
Tynes was a perfect 3-for-3 on the day.
With under five minutes to play, the Lions cut the score to 16-10 as Kitna hit WR Calvin Johnson for a 35-yard touchdown. CB Kevin Dockery had good coverage on the play, but the taller Johnson was able to out-leap Dockery for the score.
The Giants went three and out and were forced to punt the ball back to the Lions with about two and a half minutes to go, only leading by six points. Detroit moved the ball to midfield and Kitna took a shot at the end zone, but James Butler intercepted the slightly underthrown pass for a touchback.
Unfortunately, the Giants could not finish the game then and there. Another three-and-out led to another punt and another chance for the Lions. With about a minute and half on the clock, the Lions moved from their own 32-yard line to the Giants’ 46. Thankfully, a Kitna pass intended for WR Shaun McDonald bounced off the receivers hands and was intercepted by CB Sam Madison, finally sealing he win.
Offensively, QB Eli Manning played well, completing 28-of-39 passes for 283 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He spread the ball around, completing passes to nine different receivers, including three tight ends, three running backs, and three wide receivers. No one receiver had more than four catches or 49 yards receiving. Jacobs ended the game as the leading rusher with 54 yards on 11 carries.
Defensively, the Giants came up with four turnovers, three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Strahan finished the game with a total of three sacks. Detroit was held to 25 yards rushing on 11 carries.
“Yeah, it’s more difficult because that is not a better football team than us,” said a disgruntled QB Jon Kitna after the game. “We gave them the football game.”
Strahan took offense to Kitna’s comments. “I honestly thought in the first half that was one of the worst teams we played that was 6-3,” said Strahan. “I don’t quite understand why Jon would say that. Maybe we’ll see them down the road and if that’s the case, we’ll beat that ass again.”
Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were HB Derrick Ward (ankle/groin), WR Steve Smith (hamstring/scapula), OT Adam Koets, OG Kevin Boothe, DT Manny Wright, DE Dave Tollefson, and S Craig Dahl. The third quarterback was Jared Lorenzen.