2018 Lions vs. Giants final score: Offensive line struggles in 30-17 defeat

It was another ugly game for the Detroit Lions 2018 preseason, as they dropped their second in a row, this time to the New York Giants. Some problems were new. Some were more of the same, but there was a glimmer of hope here or there.

First quarter:

We finally got a chance to see the offense start with Matthew Stafford behind center... and things got off to a rough start. Ameer Abdullah fumbled on second down, and Stafford didn’t have enough time to get a pass off on third-and-long, ceding a sack thanks to Kenny Wiggins, who started in place of T.J. Lang.

The defense rebounded very nicely though. After a rough game defending the run last week in Oakland, Jarrad Davis popped off with two tackles for loss to force the Giants offense—led by Davis Webb into a three-and-out.

Stafford remained in the game for the Lions’ second offensive drive, and it was much more successful. Though Detroit was kept out of the end zone, Stafford connected with Theo Riddick for a 41-yard gain and a very demoralized Giants linebacker.

The drive stalled when protection broke down on another third down, and Stafford’s arm was hit as he attempted to throw. But Matt Prater was true from 44 yards and the Lions were the first on the board. 3-0 Lions.

The Giants would respond with a looooooooooong drive. It looked like it was going to end quickly when Devon Kennard slipped past Ereck Flowers and stripped Webb. Sylvester Williams nearly returned it for a touchdown, but upon review, officials ruled Webb’s arm was going forward and it was incomplete.

Webb responded by converting several third-and-longs and a fourth-and-inches, moving the Giants into the red zone as the first quarter came to an end.

First Quarter yardage stats:
Giants: 84
Lions: 49

Second quarter:

The Giants quickly got a first-and-goal situation after Darius Slay committed a pass interference penalty in the end zone, but the Lions got a big tackle for loss from Christian Jones to give the defense some space. But another pass defended by Slay and a delay of game weren’t enough for the Lions defense, as the Giants scored with ease on yet another third down after Jarrad Davis was beat easily by Giants running back Wayne Gallman Jr. 7-3 Giants.

The Lions couldn’t respond as yet another sack put Stafford and the first-team offense into a tough situation. A draw play to Theo Riddick came up well short on third-and-16, and the Lions offense went three-and-out for the second time in three drives.

The Lions defense rebounded nicely, getting off the field in four plays. The Giants boldly went for it on fourth-and-3 from the Lions’ 40-yard line, but Darius Slay knocked down his third pass of the game, and the Lions took over.

Jake Rudock came into the game and it was more of the same. After a false start by Michael Roberts, the Lions went three-and-out again.

In the ensuing drive, the Webb connected with Russell Shepard for a 40-yard gain over Jamal Agnew. But the Lions defense stiffened up from there, thanks to two solid plays from Tavon Wilson, one in run defense, one in coverage. The Giants would settle for a 55-yard field goal attempt, which Aldrick Rosas made. 10-3 Giants.

The Lions would try to answer before the end of the half with an extended two-minute drill. Thanks to a couple penalties, including the new helmet infraction, the Lions were able to get into field goal range, but Prater doinked one off the right upright from 49 yards and the Lions were stuck on three points at the half.

The Giants tried, but failed to get into field goal range before the half. 10-3 Giants at halftime.

Third quarter:

The Lions defense continued to look better than last week, quickly forcing a punt from the Giants’ third-stringers. But for the Lions offense it was more of the same. With Matt Cassel in the game, the Lions offense crawled down the field before a pass bounced off TJ Jones’ hands and landed in the waiting arms of Giants defender. A few plays later, a play-action rollout faked nearly the entire Lions defense and a juke from Giants quarterback Kyle Lauletta faked out both Anthony Zettel and Steve Longa, the latter of which was injured on the play.

17-3 Giants.

The Lions responded with a pretty solid drive... or so it looked that way. LeGarrette Blount helped the Lions drive all the way to the Giants’ 9-yard line, but he had nowhere to go on a fourth-and-short run, leading to another turnover on downs.

The teams would stalemate for the rest of the third quarter, as the Lions went into the fourth quarter trailing 17-3.

Fourth quarter:

Just when you thought the game couldn’t look any bleaker for the Lions, the only thing Detroit had going for them all game—their run defense—collapsed on New York’s first drive of the final quarter. The Giants went 59 yards on four plays, all of them runs (with a pass interference penalty tacked on). 24-3 Giants.

Rudock re-entered the game with just over 10 minutes remaining, and immediately orchestrated the Lions’ best drive of the game. Thanks to a couple plays from Dontez Ford, some solid YAC from Michael Roberts, and a couple receptions from TJ Jones, the Lions scored their first touchdown of the night. 24-10 Giants

The Lions defense continued its downward spiral as the Giants’ fourth-string quarterback Alex Tanney led New York to its fourth touchdown drive of the game, capped by the team’s third rushing score. 30-10 Giants.

Rudock stayed in the game and led the Lions on another scoring drive. Teo Redding finally made a couple plays, and Rudock capped the drive with a quarterback sneak on fourth down with just 26 seconds to play. 30-17 Giants.

The Lions will head to Tampa Bay next week to take on the Buccaneers.

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Pregame:

Matthew Stafford is out there warming up with the rest of the Detroit Lions quarterbacks. Last week, Stafford did not play a single snap, and head coach Matt Patricia would not say whether the starting quarterback would play against the New York Giants.

Additionally, both offensive linemen who struggled with injuries this week in practice are suited up:

Well see if any of these player will go when the game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION:

It’s Week 2 of the preseason and that means the Detroit Lions are one week closer to their 2018 regular season debut. We’re in the depths of the Matt Patricia era, and this week will hopefully bring us more answers and clarity about the trajectory of this team.

After a week of joint practices, the Lions and New York Giants are ready to shed the “no-live tackling” rule and play some “real” football.

It will also be Ford Field’s debut and local fans’ first opportunity to see the team in Detroit and try all of the stadium’s new food and drink offerings.

But if you’re unable to watch the game in person, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Though the game is not being televised live nationally, there are options for out-of-towners, including NFL Game Pass and several nationally-televised replays to make sure you get your Lions fix. Of course, for you Michiganders, there are the typical viewing options to catch the game live.

How to watch

Date: Friday, August 17, 2018
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Ford Field—Detroit, MI
Local TV: WJBK-TV FOX 2 (non-metro Detroit Michiganders check here for local listing)
Online streaming: NFL Game Pass (free 7-day trial),
Announcers: Matt Shepard, Chris Spielman, Tori Petry
Local radio: WJR-AM NEWS TALK 760
Radio announcers: Dan Miller, Lomas Brown

Replay times:

Saturday, August 18

• 1 a.m. ET - Fox Sports Detroit
• 9 a.m. ET - NFL Network
• 12 p.m. ET - Fox Sports Detroit

Sunday, August 19

• 9 p.m. ET - Fox Sports Detroit

Monday, August 20

• 10 a.m. ET - NFL Network

Tuesday, August 21

• 12 p.m. ET - Fox Sports Detroit

Friday, August 24

• 1 p.m. ET - NFL Network