Giants Country

Behind Enemy Lines: Insider Analysis on the Detroit Lions

All Lions publisher John Maakaron checks in with the low-down on the Detroit Lions, who come roaring into MetLife Stadium to face the Giants on Sunday.

Patricia Traina

Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Trap game?

As far as New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is concerned, that phrase shouldn't ever exist if his players and coaches stick to the season-long script of keeping the focus squarely on the next opponent, which this week happens to be the Detroit Lions, winners of their last two games.

But no one said that blocking out the allure of a revenge match against the Dallas Cowboys on their home field on Thanksgiving four days later was going to be easy. Still, if the Giants want to continue reinforcing their quest for a postseason berth, they need to keep pace with the rest of their division, and that starts with coming out swinging this week against Lions head coach Dan Campbell's gritty group.

Let's check in with All Lions publisher John Maakaron for some perspectives on this weekend's game against the Detroit Lions. 

It seems like a switch has been flipped on this team. What do you attribute to the better play we've seen from the Lions over these last two games?

The Lions have played better complementary football in the past two games. The defense forcing several turnovers against divisional rivals has also helped.

Against the Bears, it was a pleasant surprise to see the Lions play a cleaner game, as the Bears took far too many penalties throughout the game. For a young team, being able to execute late on both sides of the football has contributed to the team's first two-game winning streak under Dan Campbell.

How much of a sense do you get that everyone is truly bought into what Campbell is preaching?

The Lions have stocked the roster full of young talent on both sides of the football. The team is looking for young, hungry football players who love the game. While the team is rebuilding, the players have bought into what the coaching staff is preaching.

The team wants to play physically and compete for all four quarters. Outside of a couple of games, the Lions have been in most games weekly. Now, the team is looking to be able to come out on the winning end of close games more often since many close losses started to impact morale.

Give me one underrated player on each side of the ball and why you think they can "sneak up" on the Giants.

On offense, Jamaal Williams is nearing his first 1,000-yard rushing season. D'Andre Swift dominates the headlines because he is a home-run threat and has struggled to remain healthy, but Williams has quietly been a dependable and productive running back. If the Giants do not bring the energy on defense, Williams has the potential to cap off drives with touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the football, linebacker Alex Anzalone has been a steadying veteran presence. Over the past couple of weeks, the 28-year-old linebacker has been a leader, both on and off the field.

What do you view as the X-factor in this game that can sway it either way for both teams?

Wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown has become Jared Goff's favorite offensive target. If the Lions offense can cap drives off with touchdowns, it will force the Giants to keep up offensively.

St. Brown can swap the game in the Lions favor, as he runs quality routes and can gain additional yards after the catch. The Giants might find themselves on their heels defensively if the Lions can sprinkle in a couple more explosive passes.

From the Lions' perspective, what is your biggest concern about this game?

The game plan is to stop running back Saquon Barkley and to play physically defensively. My biggest concern is the Lions defense reverting to making too many mistakes and being unable to tackle effectively. It is a young team, so you never know how the team will perform defensively.

In Detroit, the natural fear is Kenny Golladay suddenly breaking out of his slump and making Daniel Jones look like Josh Allen. Another concern is Brian Daboll outcoaching Dan Campbell. Daboll has this keen ability to get the most out of the talent on the Giants roster.

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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