Key matchups for Lions vs. Giants

The Lions are favorites against the Giants, but a few Detroit players need to have good games in order to win Sunday

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

After a defensive collapse last week against the Minnesota Vikings, the Lions should be able to rebound against the New York Giants (2-5) on Sunday.

If the Lions don't win, it's clearly on to draft season.

Looking at the Giants statistically, there are very few areas in which they excel. 

It's not the Lions' offense that needs to step up as much as it is the defense. 

Here are a few Lions players and positions on the field that need to show up this week:

DE Trey Flowers

Flowers has not lived up to the offseason hype so far this season. 

One of the Lions' biggest flaws is their lack of pass rush, and Flowers was supposed to help fix that issue.

Looking at the offensive tackles that Flowers will be lining up against Sunday, there should be no reason for why he can't get to Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones, who has a penchant for holding the ball too long.

New York left tackle Nate Solder is another player on the long list of former Patriots that haven't lived up to the bill after leaving New England. 

Solder is tied for the fourth-most pressures allowed among all NFL offensive linemen.

On the right side of the Giants' O-line, there's Mike Remmers, who's allowed the seventh-most pressures.

If Flowers can't create any disruption on passing downs vs. the "G-Men," it's time to officially hit the panic button on the big contract the Lions gave him.

LB Jarrad Davis

Davis is another key piece of the Lions' defense that has underachieved.

Now that Giants running back Saquon Barkley is healthy, Davis is going to have his hands full. And not only in attempting to stop the run, but also in the passing game.

The Lions' run defense, as a whole, will need to slow down Barkley. It'll be a tough task for the Lions' D, which has had a rough time stopping opposing ground attacks so far this year.

In fact, Detroit has allowed 139.2 yards per game on the ground, which is 28th-worst in the NFL. 

I'm more concerned, though, about Davis in coverage one-on-one against Barkley. 

Barkley is heavily utilized as a safety blanket and outlet in space for Jones.

The Lions' top cover linebacker is Davis, and he has struggled all year in that department. 

Unfortunately, there isn't really a better option than Davis for the Lions to deploy in that role.

Davis, subsequently, needs to do his best at limiting the best player on the Giants roster and arguably the best running back in the NFL.

Lions Safeties

As the result of the Lions trading away starting safety Quandre Diggs Tuesday, the young guns need to step up and fill the void. 

So far this year, both Tracy Walker and rookie Will Harris have played well, even while Diggs was sidelined due to injury.

Some credit needs to be given to the veteran Tavon Wilson as well. 

More of a box safety, Wilson is now the leader in the safety room.

The reason that Harris and Walker were mentioned first is because they are considered the best coverage options at the safety position. 

Giants tight end Evan Engram is one of the most athletic pass catchers at his position.

Surprisingly, though, Engram hasn't exactly been a focal point on an offense that is lacking in weapons. 

Engram, in fact, only secured one catch a week ago.

The Lions' safeties will need to help continue that trend -- whether it be Walker or Harris in coverage.

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