Lions vs. Giants: Highlights, game tracker and more

The Detroit Lions faced the New York Giants on Monday, Sept. 18 in NFL Week 2 on Monday Night Football. Here are the highlights from the game.

In the opening week of the season, the Detroit Lions made it look like the 2017 season was about to bring more of the same for them. After leading the NFL in comeback wins last season, they needed to do the same in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, the New York Giants wished that they looked like what they did a year ago as they were dominated by the Dallas Cowboys.

These two teams met on Monday Night Football in Week 2, looking to prove themselves further.

Frankly, what the Giants showed right from the jump was that they have serious problems on offense. While Odell Beckham Jr. returned for this matchup, the offensive line was still a major issue. The Lions defense is improved, but still lacking in comparison to an elite unit. Yet they really limited Eli Manning and Co. on Monday night right from the jump, particularly Ezekiel Ansah coming off the edge against Ereck Flowers.

Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense were able to find somewhat of a rhythm, especially with Janoris Jenkins inactive for the contest. He found Marvin Jones in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead. A poor defensive play call allowed the Giants to tie it up early in the second quarter with a pass to Evan Engram down the middle of the field.

However, the Lions rebounded with more firepower of their own. After a nice drive, Stafford struck again with a nice pass to tight end Eric Ebron that went for touchdown. Following another defensive stop, the Lions were able to drive right to the edge of Matt Prater’s range. And when we say “right to the edge”, Prater proved how true that was as his attempt clipped the crossbar before being converted.

Coming out of halftime with a 17-7 lead, the Lions really hunkered down on defense. They were stifling against Manning, which is essentially the only offense that they have as their running game continued to look impotent. New York added a field goal in the third quarter, but Detroit responded early in the fourth quarter with an electric 88-yard punt return touchdown from rookie Jamal Agnew.

Manning and the offense attempted to come back, but just didn’t have a real chance to make it happen. Thus, the Lions cruised into the finish line to move to 2-0, dropping the Giants to 0-2 in the process.

Highlights

Next: NFL Power Rankings 2017: Week 3

The Giants again looked like a much lesser team than they were a year ago. Meanwhile, the Lions move to 2-0 and look to be eyeing a playoff spot for the second-straight season.