The Detroit Lions look to get back on track this afternoon aiming for win No. 7 on the year as they host the New York Giants (2-9) in the first of three straight home games in 11 days, including back-to-back Thursday games this week and next.
Here are five things to watch out for in today's matchup against the Giants:
1. Battle in the trenches
Key for Detroit Sunday will be slowing down a very talented New York defensive front that features defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and an edge duo of Abdul Carter and Brian Burns. Burns leads the NFC with 13.0 sacks, while Carter has 35 total pressures.
Detroit's been inconsistent at times upfront along their offensive line this season and will need to establish the run better today than they did in the loss in Philadelphia to the Eagles last week. The Giants rank 30th stopping the run while allowing nearly 150 yards per game on the ground (149.9). In Detroit's 6 wins, they've allowed only eight sacks and average 169 yards rushing in those contests. In their 4 losses, Detroit's allowed 12 sacks and average just 71 yards rushing.
2. Jameis Winston at QB
Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart didn't clear concussion protocol this week and will not play today. That means veteran Jameis Winston will make his second straight start for New York.
Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said this week they were preparing for both Winston and Dart and will have a good plan for both. Dart is a dynamic runner from the quarterback position while Winston is more of a traditional pocket passer. Winston started his first game of the season last week in New York's 27-20 loss to Green Bay and was 19-of-29 passing for 201 yards with one interception and a 71.2 passer rating.
3. Third-down offense
The Lions must figure out a way to be more consistent on third down. After converting nearly 50 percent of their third downs last year, Detroit currently ranks 27th in the NFL converting at just a 36 percent clip so far this season. It's been a mix of missed throws, drops, protection issues and play calling.
"You've got to win your one-on-one matchups," Lions offensive coordinator John Morton said this week. "That's one of the biggest things that I talk with the offense about. Just dial in, especially third down, let's dial in.
"And really we're just erring on technique. But when we do it all together, it's pretty good. You saw it against Washington. But again - and I've said this before - it's that one breakdown where it's a technique error here and there or we didn't make the throw. That's all we've got to do, that's what we're concentrating on. That was one of the biggest things we talked with the offense about, just dial in."
Can Detroit fix their issues on third down at home this week to extend drives and scoring opportunities? New York enters the game ranked 18th in third-down defense at 40 percent.
4. Bounce back for Goff
It was an uncharacteristic performance in Philadelphia for quarterback Jared Goff. The NFL's leader in completion percentage heading into Week 11 completed just 14 of his 37 pass attempts for a career-low 37.8 completion percentage. Goff missed several throws he usually makes.
Maybe the wind and the cold was a factor, though Goff said after the game it really didn't matter. He now returns to the friendly confines of Ford Field with 70-degree temperatures and zero wind. Detroit's been the best in the NFL since October of 2022 at getting bounce-back performances following a loss and they'll need one from their veteran quarterback today.
5. Special teams spark
Detroit's been pretty good all year on special teams, particularly in the metrics and analytics they emphasize in terms of starting field position and other areas, but there's been a lack of explosive plays.
The Lions could use a spark on special teams today and down the stretch run. Kalif Raymond is 38 punt return yards short of breaking Mel Gray's franchise record (1,427). Can he put together a good return or two to get the record at home today to give his team a spark?
