After a tense and fight-filled start to the week, the Detroit Lions couldn't find their offensive rhythm and lost to the New York Giants, 14-3, in their preseason opener.
In a race to see who will be the backup quarterback between Nate Sudfeld and Hendon Hooker, the game had mixed results for both players. Thanks to the rainy conditions, neither quarterback could find their groove as Sudfeld finished 13-for-24 for 96 passing yards and an interception with four sacks. Hooker showed flashes in his first football action in almost two years, finishing 5-for-9 for 36 passing yards while rushing for 34 yards, but he was limited to just two drives as he left late in the third quarter with a concussion, according to coach Dan Campbell in the postgame news conference.
Campbell is known to go for it on fourth down, and neither quarterback was able to convert on that final down as the offense went 0-for-4, including 0-for-2 in fourth-and-goal situations. The run game was inconsistent, as the only non-QB that ran well was 2024 fourth-round pick Sione Vaki, who had 29 yards in just four carries. As for receivers, rookie Isaiah Williams led with 35 yards on four catches.
Brandon Joseph caught an interception in the first quarter, but the only points from the Lions came from former Michigan Panther Jake Bates, who knocked in a 53-yard field goal after the Joseph interception. The Lions will play the Chiefs next weekend at Arrowhead Stadium in their second preseason game.
Lions fail to convert on fourth down, can't find offense as they lose preseason opener 14-3 to the Giants
Giants now look to run the clock out. Miller gains four yards on first down then DeVito throws an incomplete pass on second down. Kindle Vildor's coverage on Marcus McKethan is a little too physical as he's flagged for pass interference, giving the Giants a first down. After Miller rushes for three yards, he goes outside for three more yards as we head to the two minute warning. Miller falls forward for six yards on third-and-4 as DeVito and the Giants will kneel it out. (End of game)
Lions start at their own 9-yard line with Sudfeld making his best throw of the night in a dart to Peoples-Jones for 26 yards. Funk rushes for seven yards on the next play, but offensive lineman Connor Galvin was injured on the play and has to be stretchered off the field. Sudfeld can't connect with Funk on the next play, but finds Alexander for six yards and the first down. Sudfeld and Sean McKeon connect for five yards, but Funk can't find a hole on second down. After a false start puts the Lions five yards back, Sudfeld finds Alexander again short for the first down, as the play is confirmed to move the chains after replay. Jalon Calhoun can't haul in the deep pass, but draws the pass interference call as the Lions move to the Giants 9. Sudfeld finds Calhoun again for two yards, then they can't connect on second down. The Lions go for a third-down draw play and are stopped short as they'll go for it again on fourth down. Sudfeld is hit from behind and throws an incomplete pass as the Lions are 0-for-4 on fourth down tonight. (4:06)
It's first-and-10 for the Giants at their own 45 and Miller gets some good space on the outside.... it's too good as the Giants are flagged for two different offensive holding calls. DeVito takes back-to-back deep shots but can't connect with his receivers, then DeVito dumps it down to Miller as he's tackled by Steven Gilmore. Giants punt on fourth-and-7. (8:36)
Sudfeld is back under center for the Lions as Hooker leaves the game with an unknown injury. Jake Funk comes in at running back and loses two yards, then Sudfeld finds Williams for a seven yard gain. Sudfeld is sacked again on third down as the Lions punt again. (9:56)
(Start of 4th Quarter) Miller keeps it going with a four-yard rush for a first down, then goes outside for a 19-yard outside run as he's pushed out of bounds for another first down. Miller gets the call again for a yard, then the Giants are flagged for holding on the next play. After DeVito throws an incomplete pass, Malik Jefferson makes a big tackle on Miller for a six-yard loss as the Giants punt it to the Lions. Lions will start deep in their own side of the field at their own nine. (12:01)
Hooker shows flashes, Lions come up empty on six minute drive trailing 14-3 heading into fourth
Miller runs for nine yards on first down on the final play of the quarter as we head to the fourth. (End of 3rd Quarter)
Hooker and the Lions take over on their own nine, with Hooker missing on first down but connecting with Isaiah Williams for five yards. On third-and-5, Hooker finds Williams again on the crossing route for 13 yards and the first down as the Giants are flagged for roughing the passer. Knight rushes for two yards then Hooker throws too high on second down, but Hooker finds Parker Hesse as Hesse flips for the first down. Hooker finds Knight in the flats again for a nine-yard reception, then Knight is called again for a four-yard rush and a first down. Hooker shows off the wheels again and scrambles for 16 yards as we take a timeout. Lions get their first red zone possession as Knight fights for three yards on first down, on second down as Hooker is sacked but the Giants are called for a facemask to make it first and goal for the Lions. Knight loses a yard on a first down rush, then Hooker scrambles for six yards on the next play. On third-and-goal, Donovan Peoples-Jones goes for the one-handed catch but can't haul it in. Lions go for it on fourth down as the ball is batted away by Ovie Oghoufo and the Lions walk away with no points. (25 seconds remaining)
The Giants start their first drive of the second season with a two-yard run by Dante Miller, then Miller runs up the middle for five yards. On third-and-three, DeVito scrambles away from pressure but starts his slide too early and is marked a yard short of the first down and Lions defensive lineman David Bada has to be helped off the field in an non-contact lower leg injury. The Giants go for it on fourth-and-one as DeVito sneaks ahead for the first down. The Giants are flagged for an illegal formation and lose five yards, then Miller takes the next two rushes for eight yards. Third down again for the Giants as DeVito connects with Bryce Ford-Wheaton for six yards as the Giants punt it away again. (6:29)
(Start of 3rd Quarter) Hendon Hooker takes the field for the first time in almost two years as the Lions start from their own 24. Zonovan Knight takes the first down carry for three yards, then Hooker shows off his scramble ability getting just enough for the first down. Knight only gets a yard on the next play, then Hooker finds Knight in the flats but is stopped by two Giants defenders. On third-and-8, Hooker evades the sack but is stopped short of the first down. The Lions take the delay of game on fourth down to set up the punt as the Giants will start on their own 28. (11:24)
Lions offense stagnant, two rushing touchdowns help Giants take 14-3 first half lead
Lions take over from their own 29 as Sudfeld scrambles for a six-yard gain on first down. Second down leads to a one-yard rush from Sione Vaki, his first carry tonight. The Giants have too many men on the field for third down for a five-yard penalty to give the Lions a first down. Vaki runs for nine yards, then Sudfeld scrambles again down the middle for an eight-yard first down run. Vaki shows his mobility on a 15-yard rushing play as we head to the two minute warning. The momentum is stopped as Sudfeld is sacked for an eight-yard loss, but Sudfeld finds James Mitchell to make it a manageable third-and-six. Lions give it to Vaki but he's short of the first down marker as Green is down on the field with an injury. Seems like he took a hard hit trying to block for Vaki, but he walks to the sideline. Lions go for it on fourth-and-two as Sudfeld scrambles right and throws it right to Tre Herndon for an interception, but Herndon fumbles and it's recovered by Saki at the Giants' 46. Lions get a second chance, but Sudfeld is sacked for another eight-yard loss. Sudfeld finds Kaden Davis for five yards on second down, then throws short of Davis on third down as the Lions punt it away for the final play of the first half. (End of first half)
Lions fail on fourth-down conversion, Giants score on the ground again to take 14-3 lead
DeVito goes for the play-action screen to Gray as he gets 13 yards and a first down. DeVito goes to the air again as the ball is dropped by Jackson but James Houston is called for an offsides penalty as it's now first-and-5. The Lions finally stop Gray for no gain, but DeVito connects with Jackson as they get to the one-yard line. From there, Gray finds the hole for his second touchdown of the quarter. Giants now up two possessions. (4:49)
The Lions defense made their first mistake tonight, now it's time for the offense to put up a drive. Starting from their own 28 after the kickoff, Jefferson runs for six yards before getting stuffed behind the line for a one-yard loss. On third down, Kennedy bobbles the sliding catch but he's marked short as the play is under review. After review, it's marked as fourth-and-one as the Lions try to sneak it in for a yard but can't make it as the Giants will take over at the Lions' 37. (7:06)
Eric Gray rushes for 48-yard touchdown, Lions trail 7-3
Gray rushes for three yards on first down, then DeVito finds Tyree Jackson for 16 yards and a first down. On second-and-10, Gray finds a hole and runs away from the Lions defense for a 48-yard touchdown. The extra point is good and the Giants lead for the first time tonight. (9:12)
Sudfeld connects with Green near the sideline for a seven-yard gain on first down, but throws another errant pass on second down. Sudfeld finds Shane Zylstra for seven yards and a first down. First-and-10 at their own 31 is a Reynolds run for two yards, then a screen pass to Green only goes for three. Third-and-5 is another incompletion as tight coverage on Daurice Fountain forces the Lions to punt. (11:28)
(Start of 2nd Quarter) On second-and-20, DeVito's tipped pass is almost intercepted, then he throws to Eric Gray for eight yards but it's not close to the first down as the Giants punt it away again. (14:21)
Lions offense staggers, defensive turnover creates early 3-0 lead after one quarter
DeVito has taken over for the injured Lock, but is sacked by Brodric Martin as the first quarter ends. (End of 1st Quarter)
Jermar Jefferson gets his first carry of the night for four yards, then loses two yards on second down. Sudfeld can't connect with Tom Kennedy near the sticks and the Lions offense punts the ball away yet again. (0:39)
We get a first look at a new penalty from the kickoff rules as Bates is flagged for the kickoff being short of the new landing zone, as the Giants start from the own 40. Lock starts off by finding Detroit's own Allen Robinson down the sideline for nine yards, then Tracy takes it for a 12-yard gain and a first down. On first-and-10 from the Lions 39, Lock loses the ball forward and it is called a fumble recovered by the Giants for a first down, but review reverses the decision to an incomplete pass. On second down, Lock's pass is broken up by undrafted rookie and Detroit's own DaRon Gilbert. More tight coverage from the defense as new acquisition Amik Robertson breaks up the third down pass as Lock is down with an injury. Fan favorite Tommy DeVito checks in for a false start as the Giants' punt bounces out of bounds. (2:03)
Brandon Joseph gets first interception, Jake Bates makes first field goal as Lions lead 3-0
Sudfeld misses Reynolds down the sideline on first down, and throws two more incomplete passes before the Lions settle for a 53-yard field goal. Former Michigan Panther Jake Bates comes out for his first field goal attempt for the season, and hits it as the Lions take an early 3-0 lead. (3:21)
Lock opens up the Giants third possession of the game with a scramble down the middle for seven yards, then Tracy runs for the first down, the first for either team so far. Lock misses his receiver on the next play, and the screen pass to Eric Gray is stopped by Jalen Reeves-Maybin for a 1-yard gain. On third-and-9, Lock's pass down the middle is intercepted by safety Brandon Joseph, the first turnover of the game. After a decent return from the other Joseph safety, the Lions take over at the Giants 35. (3:43)
Lions keep possession and will start on their own 26 for first-and-10, as Reynolds runs for three yards. Second-and-7 is another Reynolds run down the middle for a five-yard gain. Third-and-short is another run but the Giants defensive line stuffs Reynolds for no gain as we'll see yet another punt. Jack Fox punts to Gunner Olszewski as the Lions special teams take him down on the Giants 20. (7:24)
On first-and-10, Giants running back Tyrone Tracy takes it for five yards, then gets his number called again but only gains two on an outside run. Third-and-3 leads to a sack from the undrafted rookie Issac Ukwu, who's trying to make the roster cut and a play like that will help his case. Another punt ensues, as Alexander takes a big hit immediately after catching the ball and fumbles it, but the play is called dead. Officials will review the play during the TV timeout. (9:20)
Nate Sudfeld starts under center for the Lions, and gives it to Craig Reynolds for a three-yard run. Sudfeld is sacked for a two-yard loss by Dyontae Johnson, then the Giants sniff out a third down screen pass to Antoine Green as the Lions punt for the first time. Giants will start from their own 26 after our first TV timeout. (11:14)
(Start of 1st Quarter) Drew Lock starts for the Giants as he scrambles for five yards on first-and-10. Lock misses down the middle on second down, then Ennis Rakestraw makes a tackle at Jalin Hyatt for no gain. Maurice Alexander fumbles while catching the punt but the Lions recover and are called for holding and they'll start at their own 10. (13:35)
Kickoff
Preseason football is back in Detroit! It's a rainy evening at Metlife, with the Lions debuting their new "313" road uniforms with a set of white uniforms and blue pants, while the Giants are wearing their classic home uniforms. Lions special teams taking part of the new kickoff rules for the first time, as they'll kick it off to the Giants. Isaiah McKensie takes it to the Giants 34, but the home team is called for holding as they'll start at their own 19.
Preview
The Detroit Lions begin their 2024 preseason going up against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. This is the second straight year the Lions and Giants will open their preseason schedule facing each other.
The Lions and Giants have had an interesting few days, to say the least. The teams participated in joint practices earlier this week, with fights breaking out on both Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, it was announced that both teams would be fined $200,000 each, as the league doesn't tolerate fighting at these practices.
Don't expect to see much from the starters on either team, but the preseason is to see what impact other players can make and who can make their case for being on the opening week roster. Players to watch for the Lions include second-year QB Hendon Hooker, who missed playing last season from rehabbing a torn ACL, and rookie CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. As for the Giants, look out for their 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers.
The Lions also are debuting their new uniforms.
NFL preseason: Lions at New York Giants
▶ What: Preseason opener
▶ When: 7 p.m. Thursday
▶ Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
▶ TV/radio: Fox/97.1
