New York Giants (7-3) – Detroit Lions (4-6): 18-31
Let the most worried and the most skeptical rest assured: Daniel Jones is still Daniel Jones. Although he was able to take the opportunity early in the season to allow the Giants to win many games, the quarterback completely missed his match (27/44, 341 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 1 hands-on on the ground). This time, coaching Brian Daboll wasn’t enough to hide the weaknesses of New York’s workforce, against a Lions team that won the old-fashioned way.
The keyword for Detroit in this match was to hit the ground, and it worked perfectly. 160 yards and 4 touchdowns, of which 3 only for Jamaal Williams, who thanks to this performance finds himself leading the league in number of touchdowns scored, with 12. Jared Goff (17/26, 165 yards) did what he had to to make, in a use that suits him. He didn’t expose himself, didn’t take many risks and relied on what he does best, pushing his team forward.
Hats off to Jamaal Williams 🎩#DETvsNYG #OnePride
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— TDActu.com – NFL News 🏈 (@TDActu) November 20, 2022
The game started on a Senator train, with a 3-and-out for the Giants, followed by a field goal for the Lions. New York takes control at the end of the first quarter, thanks to a long drive conducted smoothly by Daniel Jones, who ends himself with a 3-yard run. This is the Giants’ QB’s only bright spot in the match because, after exchanges of punts, he throws a disastrous pass into the hands of Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson in his own half, which allows the Lions to recover the ball in good position and quickly record a touchdown by Williams, who will record another as the half ends.
Nothing works for New York
Detroit begins the second act beating the drums, with a new touchdown, the third of Williams. The Giants’ response? Another catastrophic pass by Daniel Jones on the 4th attempt, this time intercepted by Kerby Joseph. New York will be able to get back into the game, before another blow of fate. This time, Jones’s pass landed in the hands of Isaiah Hodgins, but the latter lost control of the ball on a Will Harris tackle, recovered again by rookie Aidan Hutchinson. The end of the game is anecdotal, with a touchdown by D’Andre Swift against one by Richie James on a pass from Jones, to save the honor.
The Giants, yet so attractive to start the season, totally outlived the game. Blame, of course, a Daniel Jones next door, but not only. If Jones threw the ball a lot (44 passes), too surely, it’s also that he couldn’t count on Saquon Barkler (15 rushes, 22 yards) on the ground. Also, if that doesn’t excuse his performance, the weakness of his receiving body was more than ever felt. Finally, the defense obviously isn’t beyond reproach, as their inability to stop Detroit’s ground play or pressure Jared Goff (0 sacks) has been detrimental to the team. If this loss is a blow, it’s not a setback, the playoffs are still within New York’s reach.
For their part, the Lions played well. If he has often, logically, been criticized since the beginning of the season, Dan Campbell’s coaching performance is today to be underlined. He skilfully guided his team to victory, building on what worked as he rotated his riding committee well. An encouraging win for Detroit, who could pick up more victories this season by playing well.
