Week 8, 2019 Detroit Lions vs NY Giants @ Home

All Game.

The 3-3-1 Detroit Lions managed to beat the 2-6 New York Giants at home with a 31-26 score. Had the defense not scored a TD on a fumble recovery early in the game the Lions may not have won today. Injuries to the DBs forced the Lions to put in their 3rd stringers as starters for the 2nd half, which is not surprising, since the Lions just traded Safety/CB Diggs to Seattle this past week. Overall though, the Lions were up and down all game and eeked out a win.

Matthew Stafford was 25 of 32 (78.125%) for 342 yards 3 TDs and 1 INT. The run game, led by one Tra Carson (who had 34 yards on 12 carries) totaled 59 rushing yards with 5 different runners. KJ might not be all that, but he's going to be missed (he's on IR now). The defense for the Lions managed to allow the rookie QB Daniel Jones complete 28 of 41 (68.29%) for 322 yards and 4 TDs with no INT (but one backwards throw that is recorded as a fumble). The run defense was slightly improved, only allowing 80 yards (64 to Barkley) but they also allowed Barkley to catch 8 passes for 79 yards, only being topped by Golden Tate who had 85 yards. Many of those throws were to wide open receivers, so it's quite amazing the Lions won at all... yet the Lions scored first (ala defense) and never once lost the lead all game.

The officiating was at times a little bit frustrating, but no where near as bad as the past few games. The Lions themselves also made many errors, but once again, not quite as bad as the past three games. Perhaps this will generate a little bit of confidence that might carry over into next week's game against the Oakland Raiders for the first of two away games. To win the Raiders and Bears games away the Lions will need to clean up their errors and play well, all game. The up and down alternating good and bad plays have to get turned around, and quickly.

The Lions are now in 3rd in the division, as the Bears lost today by 1 point (failing to hit a field goal as time expired). After the Raiders the Lions play the Bears twice in 18 days (due to the Thanksgiving day game)... all the next 5 games are critical... they must be wins if the Lions want any hope of making the playoffs. Not sure yet if they can pull that off. The Lions confidence might have improved, but mine has not. Not when you keep making mistakes every game all game.