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TURNING POINT
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WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE
The Giants' offensive line suffered another loss when Brandon Mosley, who was making his first career start, left early in Sunday's game with a broken hand. With Dallas Reynolds replacing him at right guard, the Giants kept Detroit's front four at bay in the first half while they capitalized on two of the Lions' turnovers. A week after being shutout by the Seahawks, the passing game found some rhythm as Eli Manning got Hakeem Nicks and Jerrel Jernigan involved in the game. However, with little working on the ground, the offense dried up and failed to score in the second half, enabling the Lions to force overtime. But the Giants made the plays when they mattered most to set up the game-winning field goal in overtime.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
The Giants set the tone by taking the Lions' playmakers out of the game, notably wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Reggie Bush. But that just opened the door for others like running back Joique Bell and tight end Joseph Fauria, who helped to swing the momentum to the Lions' sideline in the second half. In addition to forcing three turnovers, which led to 17 points (including Will Hill's 38-yard interception return for a touchdown that eventually forced overtime), the Giants never gave up the big play as they grinded through an overtime victory.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS
The Giants' early-season problems on punt coverage crept back up in Detroit. After Damontre Moore jumped offside on a punt that gave Detroit a first down, the Giants later gave up a 50-yard punt return to Jeremy Ross, setting up the Lions' first touchdown of the game in the third quarter. But in the end, it was the special teams that won the game. Rookie Michael Cox opened overtime with a 56-yard kickoff return to tilt the field position in the Giants' favor before Brown kicked the game-winner.
IMPACT PLAYERS
DE Mathias Kiwanuka (six tackles, two sacks, forced fumble), WR Jerrel Jernigan (six catches for 80 yards and his first career touchdown), S Will Hill (nine tackles, 38-yard interception return touchdown), K Josh Brown (made all three field goal attempts from distances of 41, 52, and 45 yards).
