DETROIT – The Detroit Lions found a way to avoid disaster Sunday with an overtime win over the Giants at Ford Field.
Coming in as a double-digit underdog, the Giants outplayed the Lions from the very first snap. Detroit trailed 10-0 after the first quarter and 17-7 midway through the second.
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The offense found its footing before halftime, largely thanks to some explosive runs by Jahmyr Gibbs. Detroit went into the break trailing by just a field goal, 20-17.
It felt like the Lions would likely settle down and take over after halftime, but New York continued to dominate on both sides of the ball, even without many of their best players.
The Giants were without starting quarterback Jaxson Dart, top running back Cam Skattebo, and superstar receiver Malik Nabers.
But the Lions defense still had little answer. New York scored a pair of touchdowns on trick plays, and Jameis Winston peppered the Lions with explosive plays, most of which went to wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson.
On the final full Giants drive of regulation, the Lions failed to stop Winston on a third-and-10 from inside his own 10-yard line and a third-and-17 near midfield.
For the offense, drops on by Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Brock Wright hurt them in key moments. St. Brown’s were especially damaging, most notably one that bounced off his hands and resulted in an interception inside the red zone.
But after they fell behind by 10, the Lions kicked it into gear. Gibbs scored on a 49-yard run and Jake Bates sent the game to overtime with a 59-yard boot in the final moments.
Gibbs struck again in overtime, scoring from 69 yards out on the opening drive. The Lions defense stopped the Giants on the ensuing drive to secure the win.
Gibbs finished with 219 yards and two scores on 15 carries. He also caught 11 passes for 45 yards and an additional score.
St. Brown led the Lions with nine catches for 149 yards and a touchdown.
Detroit improved to 7-4 on the season, still a game behind the Bears, who beat the Steelers to improve to 8-3. The 7-3-1 Packers come to town on Thanksgiving Day.