The Giants are back at MetLife Stadium this Sunday for a Week 11 matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Coming off their bye last week, the Giants defeated the Houston Texans at home, 24-16. Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones both had strong outings, while the defense continued its dominance on third down and in the red zone.
The Lions come to town riding a two-game winning streak. After picking up a victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 9, the Lions traveled to Chicago and defeated the Bears, 31-30.
Here are five storylines to follow in the Week 11 matchup.
1. Keep the momentum going
The Giants had two consecutive games on the road prior to the bye, as they won in Jacksonville before losing in Seattle. Following the time off, Brian Daboll's squad began the second half of the season with four games at MetLife Stadium in five weeks. After beating the Texans last week, they now welcome the Lions to East Rutherford.
The team's 7-2 record is their best through nine games since they were 8-1 in 2008. It also represents the first time they've won more than six games in a season since they were 11-5 in 2016. The Giants are also an impressive 4-1 in front of the home crowd this year, as the fan noise has seemingly made a big impact, especially when it comes to situational defense, but more on that later.
Sunday's game is a crucial one as it's the final contest before the Giants enter a pivotal stretch of their schedule. With four consecutive games against the NFC East upcoming, starting with a trip to Dallas on Thanksgiving Day, the Giants would like enter that four-game span on a two-game winning streak.
2. DJ keeps getting it done
Daniel Jones put together an impressive performance in the first half of the season with a league-high five game-winning drives through the first eight weeks. In his first game in the second half of the season, Jones picked up right where he left off. In a week in which the focus on offense clearly revolved around pounding the ball on the ground, Jones had perhaps the most efficient game of his career. The fourth-year quarterback completed 13 of 17 passes (76.5 percent) for 197 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He earned a passer rating of 153.3, which not only is the highest of his career but is also the highest among all starting quarterbacks this season. It was also the sixth game in which Jones did not register a turnover.
Detroit's defense ranks last in both points and yards allowed. The Lions rank 27th in passing yards and 26th in passing touchdowns allowed. In last week's win, Detroit limited Bears QB Justin Fields to 167 yards, two touchdowns and one interception with a completion percentage of 60 percent. However, Fields did a lot of damage with his legs, rushing for 147 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries.
One player everyone on the offense must keep an eye on Sunday is Aidan Hutchinson. The rookie defensive end has 5.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hits through the first nine games and just had a career-high eight solo tackles against the Bears last week.
"A good player; that's why he was selected high," Daboll said about the No. 2 pick. "He made a great play against Chicago, too, which led to an interception off of a screen pass to a tight end. He recognized it, and he kind of dropped back, made (Chicago quarterback Justin) Fields throw it over the top, (Detroit cornerback Jeff) Okudah picks it off (and) runs it back. Instinctive, can play a wide variety of spots. Can play inside some, does a good job on his field goal rush with his movement. A good football player."
3. Saquon once again league's leading rusher
Jones wasn't the only offensive captain to put together a strong performance against the Texans. Saquon Barkley carried the ball a whopping 35 times for 152 yards (4.3 avg.) and added one reception for eight yards. The 35 rushing attempts set a new career-high, topping his previous mark of 31 carries in the Week 4 win over Chicago. Those two games were the first two times Barkley topped 30 rushing attempts since joining the Giants in 2018.
Barkley's 152-yard outing was his second-highest rushing total of the season (he ran for 164 yards in the season opener against the Titans). Heading into Week 11, the fifth-year running back now leads the league with 931 rushing yards and 103.4 rushing yards per game this season. He also ranks second in total yards from scrimmage with 1,128, just 45 yards behind Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill for the most in the NFL (the Dolphins on bye this week). He has also handled a league-high 227 total touches, which has helped the Giants jump out to their 7-2 start.
"To be completely honest, it feels good," Barkley said after the Sunday's win. "Obviously, you're not too excited about it because you know it's a long season and you got to keep going week by week. Being healthy during it, it's not something that I'm shocked about. I believe in having positive thinking. I've been vocal about it when I was hurt that I feel like we're going to get back on track and I want to be part of the reason to help us get back on track. We're doing it right now, 7-2, great start, especially coming off a bye week and a loss. That was our mindset, come out and go 1-0. We were able to do that and now we got to build on that to next week."
The Lions come into this matchup ranking 31st in the NFL with 160.9 rushing yards allowed per game. Their 5.3 yards per rush and 15 rushing touchdowns also rank 30th. In last week's win over Chicago, the Lions defense gave up 258 yards on the ground. While Justin Fields accounted for 147 of those yards, David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert combined for 94 yards on 19 attempts (4.9 avg.).
View rare photos from the all-time series between the New York Giants and Detroit Lions.
Detroit Lions Barry Sanders, carried for three yards before being brought down by Giants Erik Howard and Carl Banks, rear, in the second quarter at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J., Sept. 18, 1989.
Detroit Lions fullback Ace Gutowsky hurdles over New York Giants line for 9 yard gain in game on Nov. 1, 1936 at the Polo Grounds. The Giants won, 14-7. (AP Photo)
Detroit Lions lions Alex Karras (71) attempts to block a pass by New York Giants quarterback Earl Morrall (11) during an NFL game in this undated photo. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
FILE - In this Dec. 10, 1967, file photo, New York Giants' Bob Crespino (89) is tackled by Detroit Lions' Tom Vaughn (48) after taking a pass from quarterback Fran Tarkenton for a first down in the first period of an NFL football game at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Harry Harris, File)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms escapes the grip of Detroit Lions Eric Williams as he rushes for a 15-yard gain in the third quarter of the game at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J., on September 17, 1989. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Detroit Lions Barry Sanders (20) and Lomas Brown (75) scramble with New York Giants Lawrence Taylor (56) to recover a bad handoff during their match-up at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., Nov. 19, 1990. The Giants defeated the Lions 20-0. (AP Photo/Mark Phillips)
Barry Sanders (20) of the Detroit Lions is stopped by Stacey Dillard (71) Jessie Armstead, rear center, and Coleman Rudolph (91) of the New York Giants after a 13-yard gain on a pass from Scott Mitchell during the first quarter of their game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Oct. 30, 1994. (AP photo/John Dunn)
New York Giants receiver Chris Calloway (80) looks back at Detroit Lions cornerback Bryant Westbrook (32) and Giants receiver David Patten as he prepares to score a touchdown in overtime to defeat the Lions 26-20, at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., Sunday, Oct. 19, 1997. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
New York Giants running back Tiki Barber evades Detroit Lions' Keith Smith, center, and Alex Lewis on his way to score a touchdown during the first quarter Sunday, Oct.24, 2004 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington, left, is sacked by New York Giants safety Gabril Wilson during the second quarter Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback Sam Madison (29) celebrates after intercepting a pass intended for Detroit Lions' Shaun McDonald (84) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007. New York won 16-10. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Shaun McDonald, right, and New York Giants cornerback Sam Madison, left, reach out for the loose ball intended for McDonald in the fourth quarter of the football game Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007 in Detroit. Madison intercepted the ball to end the Lions final drive. The Giants beat the Lions 16-10. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka tackles Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones during the first quarter of their NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007. Kiwanuka broke his left leg after teammate Osi Umenyiora rolled over his leg during the tackle. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
New York Giants safety James Butler (37) intercepts a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Shaun McDonald (84) late in the fourth quarter of a football game Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007, in Detroit. The Giants beat the Lions, 16-10. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, right, stops Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones (34) in mid air as Giants cornerback Kevin Dockery, left, holds his foot for a 5 yard loss in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (27) pulls away from Detroit Lions cornerback Fernando Bryant (25) during the first quarter of their NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (27) scores a touchdown on a 10-yard reception against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions receiver Roy Williams (11) reaches for the ball after New York Giants cornerback Sam Madison (29) deflected the pass intended for Williams during the first quarter of their NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007. The pass was ruled incomplete. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Shaun McDonald (84) fumbles after being hit by New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007. New York recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Corey Webster (23) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Detroit Lions' Drew Stanton laughs after an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 28-20. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The Detroit Lions play the New York Giants during the first quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Ahmad Bradshaw runs the ball during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 28-20. (AP Photo/Tim Larsen)
New York Giants' Brandon Jacobs, center, jumps for some extra yards during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 28-20. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham (82) catches a touchdown pass as Detroit Lions' Jonathan Wade tackles him during the second quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants tight end Bear Pascoe (86) is tackled by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Andre Fluellen (96) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Tim Larsen)
New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora (72) strips Detroit Lions quaterback Drew Stanton (5) in a week 6 NFL football game at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday October 17, 2010 (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants quaterback Eli Maning( 10) throws a pass against the Detroit Lions in a week 6 NFL football game at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday October 17, 2010 (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive lineman Barry Cofield (96) applies pressure against the Detroit Lions in a week 6 NFL football game at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday October 17, 2010 (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew (84) is tackled by New York Giants safety Deon Grant (34) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 28-20. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) looks over the defense during the second quarter of an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) runs past Detroit Lions linebacker Ashlee Palmer (58) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (27) reacts after scoring a touchdown as Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril, right, looks on during the first quarter of an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) breaks a tackle during the first quarter of an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham (82) catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter of an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham (82) catches a touchdown pass as he is tackled by Detroit Lions' Jonathan Wade (24) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Tim Larsen)
New York Giants tight end Larry Donnell (84), defended by Detroit Lions free safety Isa Abdul-Quddus (42), scores on a 1-yard reception during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants running back Andre Brown (35) is chased by Detroit Lions free safety Louis Delmas (26) and outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, left, and Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz, right, greet each other after an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 28-20. (AP Photo/Tim Larsen)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) passes the ball against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan (12) runs the ball defended by Detroit Lions free safety Louis Delmas (26) in the first half an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants running back Andre Brown (35) is forced out of bounds by Detroit Lions linebacker Rocky McIntosh, bottom, and free safety Louis Delmas (26) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
A look down the line of scrimmage as the Detroit Lions take on the New York Giants during a week 16 football game on December 22, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) prepares to take the snap as the Giants face the Detroit Lions on the line of scrimmage during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Bill Bentley (28) during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Bill Bentley (28) during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan (12) runs the ball chased by Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) in the first half an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) runs away from Detroit Lions' Glover Quin (27) and Nevin Lawson (24) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan (12) runs the ball chased by Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) in the first half an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) makes a catch while being covered by Detroit Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson (24) during a week 15 NFL football game on December 18, 2016 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) and Detroit Lions free safety Glover Quin (27) during an NFL regular season game on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won, 17-6. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Keenan Robinson (57) during an NFL regular season game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won, 17-6. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (41) intercepts a pass to Detroit Lions' Anquan Boldin (80) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 17-6. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass as Detroit Lions' Devin Taylor (98) closes in on him during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) during an NFL regular season game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won, 17-6. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Bill Bentley (28) during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Detroit Lions strong safety Tavon Wilson (32) tackles New York Giants' Rashad Jennings (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) runs for yardage in action against the Detroit Lions Sunday December 18, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants outside linebacker Jonathan Casillas (52) during an NFL regular season game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won, 17-6. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Giants running back Paul Perkins (28) during an NFL regular season game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won, 17-6. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Bill Bentley (28) during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) is tackled by Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin (27) in action Sunday December 18, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
A look down the line of scrimmage as the Detroit Lions take on the New York Giants during a week 16 football game on December 22, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants running back Andre Brown (35) is forced out of bounds by Detroit Lions linebacker Rocky McIntosh, bottom, and free safety Louis Delmas (26) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) prepares to take the snap as the Giants face the Detroit Lions on the line of scrimmage during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Kevin Lawson (24) in action Sunday December 18, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan (12) runs the ball defended by Detroit Lions free safety Louis Delmas (26) in the first half an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Andre Roberts (12) is tackled by New York Giants' Kerry Wynn (72) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) takes part in a week 8 regular season game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday October 27th, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan
WR Darius Slayton (86)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) takes part in a week 8 regular season game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday October 27th, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) takes part in a week 8 regular season game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday October 27th, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) takes part in a week 8 regular season game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday October 27th, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan
A look down the line of scrimmage during a week 8 regular season game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday October 27th, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan
WR Darius Slayton (86)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) takes part in a week 8 regular season game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday October 27th, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) catches a touchdown pass during a week 8 regular season game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday October 27th, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) scores a touchdown during a week 8 regular season game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday October 27th, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan
A look down the line of scrimmage during a week 8 regular season game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday October 27th, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) takes part in a week 8 regular season game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday October 27th, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan
Rodarius Williams (25)
Jihad Ward (55)
Jihad Ward (55)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Leonard Williams (99)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) celebrates a touchdown run during a NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday November 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
4. Defense comes through in the clutch
The Giants defense has often found success when the team has needed it most. Wink Martindale's unit has been great all season on both third down and in the red zone, and that trend continued last week against the Texans. The unit held Houston to just three third down conversions on 10 attempts, while they allowed only one of their four trips inside the red zone to result in a touchdown. The defense also forced a turnover on one of those red zone trips when Leonard Williams knocked the ball out of Texans RB Dameon Pierce's hands on the 10-yard line.
Following Sunday's performance, the Giants now rank second in the league in both third down (32.7 percent) and red zone (38.2) defense. This has played a large role in the unit becoming a top 10 scoring defense this season. While the Lions currently rank 19th in third down conversions, they have done a lot better once they get near the opponent's goal line. Detroit's offense has found the end zone on 69.7 percent of their trips inside the red zone, good for the fifth-best mark in the NFL.
"Execution. They execute well," Daboll said about the defense's success in the red zone. "It's not very complicated in terms of if you do your job, you give yourself a chance to make a play or execute a particular (play). Whether it's offense, defense – whatever it may be – those guys do a good job each week of honing in on the game plan. Coaches do a good job of installing the game plan, and at the end of the day, the players got to make the plays down there. It's been important. They've done a good job of holding them out (of the end zone)."
Jared Goff has done a solid job of leading the Lions offense this season. In nine games, Goff has thrown for 2,277 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has four games with multiple touchdown passes, including two games with four. In last week's win over the Bears, Goff completed 73.1 percent of his passes for 236 yards and a touchdown. Detroit's offense also boasts the talented running back duo D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams.
"They create explosive plays. Goff plays at a high level; he's a very accurate passer downfield, intermediate, off the play action," Daboll said Wednesday. "And then their two runners have taken it to the distance a few times. They're both a little bit different but both very good. They've scored 30 points four times. In six of their losses, four of them have been four points or less. The other one against the Cowboys it was 10-6 with 3:20 left. Explosive team. Good football team. We're going to need a good week of practice."
5. Injury updates; Neal returns to practice
While Daboll told the media Wednesday that tight end Daniel Bellinger (eye) would not practice, he did share some positive news about another member of the rookie class. For the first time since suffering a knee injury in Week 7, right tackle Evan Neal participated in practice (limited participant).
Another player that is potentially nearing a return to the field is Shane Lemieux. The third-year guard was placed on injured reserve at the end of training camp after suffering a toe injury in the first game of the preseason. Lemieux was designated to return last Monday.
"He'll be practicing. We'll see how it goes this week, but I think he's improved from where he was last week. So, we'll take it one day at a time here. I'm hopeful."
Dane Belton stepped into a larger role last week following Xavier McKinney's injury. The rookie safety was limited in Wednesday's practice, but Daboll said "he'll be fine."
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness. Wide receivers Kenny Golladay (knee) and Wan'Dale Robinson (hamstring) were also limited, along with OLB Jihad Ward (thumb).
Vote Giants to 2023 Pro Bowl Games
Online voting is now open for the 2023 Pro Bowl Games. Vote for your favorite Giants players.
