Lions host Giants on Monday night
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
NEW YORK GIANTS (0-0) at DETROIT LIONS (0-0)
Kickoff: Monday, 7:10 p.m. ET
Line: Detroit -6, Total: 47
Two disappointing 2013 NFC teams look to start off the 2014 season with a confidence-building victory.
Last season, the Giants and Lions both had high expectations for themselves, but they both ended the year 7-9 SU. New York lost the first six games of the season in 2013 and that hole was too deep to dig out of. The Lions, on the other hand, were plagued by inconsistency all season and were never able to find their groove. When these teams met last year, the Giants prevailed 23-20 in Detroit. The game was decided on a field goal in overtime. Since 1992, the Giants are 4-0 SU and 4-0 ATS when playing on the road against the Lions. Since becoming the coach of the Giants, Tom Coughlin is 10-2 ATS in road games versus an NFC North opponent. For those interested in betting the total, 10 of the past 12 Monday night games that Detroit has played in have gone Under.
The Giants struggled last season, and a lot of that had to do with the poor play of their quarterback, Eli Manning. The two-time Super Bowl MVP threw for just 18 touchdowns with a career-worst 27 interceptions. New York brought in new offensive coordinator, Ben McAdoo, who will bring a similar look to what the Packers have done over the past few years. McAdoo has spent time as Aaron Rodgers’ quarterbacks coach, and the Giants are hoping that he can turn Manning back into a solid signal caller. If he is not taking care of the ball in this game, the Giants will struggle. Another player New York will rely on offensively is new RB Rashad Jennings. The Giants signed the former Raiders rusher after a season in which he carried the football 163 times for 733 yards (4.5 YPC) and six touchdowns. Jennings is the type of no-nonsense runner that Tom Coughlin was begging for the past couple of years. His Week 1 matchup against a tough Lions front line will not be easy. The Giants defense will need to improve from last year. They allowed 223.3 passing yards per game (10th in NFL) and 108.9 rushing yards per game (14th in NFL). While those numbers don’t seem terrible, the Giants defense kept them out of many games last season. The addition of CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie should be a major boost to their secondary.
The Lions are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and it’s only a matter of time before they make themselves a threat in the NFC. The Lions brought in a new head coach in Jim Caldwell and new offensive coordinator in Joe Lombardi, who spent last season with the Saints and hopes to bring over a very similar attack. Last season, QB Matt Stafford threw for 4,650 yards with 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. If he can master the same offense that Drew Brees did, Stafford could be in for a big year. WR Calvin Johnson is fresh off a season in which he caught 84 passes for 1,492 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is also as healthy as he’s been in recent memory. The signing of WR Golden Tate, who had 64 receptions for 898 yards and five touchdowns last year for Seattle, will allow Johnson to work with more room on the field. Against the Giants, it would be wise for this team to balance its offense with a heavy dose of RBs Reggie Bush and Joique Bell. At times they get too predictable when forcing the ball to Calvin Johnson. They will need to open up the field to beat the Giants. Detroit has one of the best rushing defenses in the NFL. The club allowed just 99.8 yards per game on the ground (6th in NFL) last season. The Lions must, however, improve their secondary. Last season, they were allowing 246.9 yards per game through the air (23rd in NFL).
