Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter spoke to the media Thursday as they do every week.
Here are 10 takeaways from those media sessions:
1. The Lions didn't change any of their game plan on offense last week after quarterback Matthew Stafford injured the middle finger on his throwing hand. Cooter also said the injury wouldn't have any impact on how they game plan for the New York Giants this week.
2. The Lions have a very competitive situation at defensive tackle going on. Because their overall team health has been pretty good in recent weeks, the Lions have been forced to deactivate the fifth man in the DT rotation on game day. Austin said that's really ramped up the play and competition at that position. "Their goal is to not be that fifth guy that week."
3. Cooter was able to have a little fun with the most famous finger in Detroit right now. He wasn't dishing out any specifics on Stafford's injury, or the glove Stafford might or might not wear, but he did say he was tossing the idea around of wearing a custom glove of his own. "I think I'll probably call a better game."
4. Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is one of the best in the business. Austin is well aware of this fact, and will know where he is on the field at all times. "He's like a video game," Austin said.
5. The Giants are very talented in the backend of their defense with a good mix of veterans and youngsters. In fact, Cooter said Sunday would be one of the best secondary's the Lions will face all season.
6. Austin was glad to see linebacker DeAndre Levy on the field last week after he sat out the previous 11 games due to injury. Levy played 18 snaps and made four tackles. Austin wouldn't commit to Levy playing more snaps this week, however.
7. Graham Glasgow started his first game at center since college last week for the injured Travis Swanson. Cooter thought the rookie played pretty well. It wasn't perfect, but Cooter said he handled the calls and adjustments pretty well, and gets better there every day.
8. The Lions have held their last seven opponents to 20 points or less, and now rank 10th in the NFL, allowing 20.6 points per game for the season. Austin said the stretch the Lions are on is as good as it gets in terms of keeping opponents out of the end zone.
9. The Lions ran for 114 yards last week and averaged 4.1 yards per carry, both encouraging numbers for Cooter. He admitted that the run game takes on more importance in December and January, especially when playing outside in the cold. "We've got to keep that going, not let it be a one week, one good game. Let's make it the trend moving forward."
10. We'll see Sunday if talented Lions cornerback Darius Slay will shadow Beckham. The way Austin was talking on Thursday, it didn't seem like it, but that could have been gamesmanship. Austin said it's harder to shadow a player like Beckham because he moves around so much (including playing inside), and to shadow him would disrupt a lot of other positions. Austin said it's much easier to shadow a receiver who plays exclusively on the outside, which Beckham does not.
