Lions and Giants meet with 3-game losing streaks
Matthew Stafford
ALLEN PARK, Mich. - The Detroit Lions have taken a lot of hits lately.
Detroit (2-3-1) has dropped three straight games and its latest setback included running back Kerryon Johnson going down with a knee injury that put him on injured reserve.
Days later, starting safety and team captain Quandre Diggs was traded to Seattle in a move no one outside of the front offices of the teams involved saw coming.
"We have to focus on the Giants and move forward," receiver Marvin Jones said.
The New York Giants (2-5) don't have any sympathy.
New York has also lost three straight, and the hope rookie quarterback Daniel Jones generated with two touchdown passes in his first start has been dashed by his turnover woes.
"There is certainly a sense of urgency in the building, amongst the players, that we need to get a win," Jones said.
WELCOME BACK
Giants receiver Golden Tate was dealt by Detroit last season to Philadelphia. The move seemed to stunt the team's chances to have a successful season in coach Matt Patricia's first year, taking away Matthew Stafford's slot receiver and one of the leaders in the locker room.
Now, Tate is back to face the franchise he signed with after helping Seattle win a Super Bowl. He was one of Detroit's top players and most popular people for four-plus seasons.
"I'm sure he'll be juiced up," Lions safety Tavon Wilson said. "We'll be juiced up, too."
Tate has become Jones' go-to guy since Sterling Shepard was sidelined with his second concussion of the season. Tate had six catches in each of the past two games for 182 yards, including a 64-yard scoring play against Minnesota.
GENEROUS JONES
Jones has gotten into a habit of not protecting the ball. He has turned it over 12 times, with 11 turnovers coming after he replaced Eli Manning as the starter in Week 3.
"It's part of what a young quarterback goes through," Giants coach Pat Shurmur said. "As time goes on, that gets better. But obviously, we want it to get better fast."
The three-game losing streak has seen the No. 6 overall pick in the draft throw five of his seven interceptions and lose two fumbles. Jones has lost five fumbles, continuing a problem he had in the preseason.
"I think it's tough to win when you're turning the ball over that much," Jones said. "I've got to do a better job with that. Decision-making, securing the ball in the pocket, and securing the ball when I'm out of the pocket - all of that stuff is really important."
STEPPING UP
Lions rookie running back Ty Johnson will likely start in place of Kerryon Johnson and he might flourish. The Giants allowed Chase Edmonds to run for 126 yards in last week's loss to Arizona after he averaged just 17 yards rushing over the first 22 games of his career.
Ty Johnson, a sixth-round pick from Maryland, had a career-high 57 yards from scrimmage in last week's loss to Minnesota.
"It's an opportunity for everybody in the (running backs) room, not just me," he said.
J.D. McKissic will likely split time with Johnson, giving the offense a speedy option out of the backfield on the ground or through the air.
The Lions signed former Giants running back Paul Perkins, for the second time in two weeks, after Kerryon Johnson went on IR. They also have Tra Carson, who was claimed via waivers from Green Bay earlier in the month.
ON THE LOOKOUT
New York's Evan Engram has developed into one of the NFL's top tight ends, and he has the Lions' full attention.
"We have to always know where he's at," Detroit linebacker Jarrad Davis.
The third-year pro leads the Giants with 34 receptions, 379 yards receiving and two touchdowns. In his last two road games, Engram had 100-plus yards and caught a pass for a score.
DEFENSIVE WOES
The Giants' defense has played one complete game this season, and playing well for a half has become the norm. The Cardinals scored 17 points on their first three possessions last week. Dallas, Tampa Bay and Minnesota each gained at least 490 yards and New England had 427.
Likewise, Detroit's defense is struggling. The Lions let Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins pick them apart and could not slow down Dalvin Cook during a 42-30 loss in which they gave up 503 yards.