Nov

17

Detroit Lions vs New York Giants NFL Week 11 - Preview

Posted by Kevin Mack

November 17, 2007 |

This Week's Game

(6-3) (6-3)

Sunday, November 18
1:00 pm ET on

Detroit, after wilting in the Valley of the Sun against the Arizona Cardinals with a 31-21 loss come home to Ford Field to take on the New York Giants.

  • Detroit Lions Offense vs New York Giants Defense

Detroit’s offense will be challenged by New York’s highly rated defense. Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz has said that the Lions will get back to utilizing the rushing game this week. The Giants have the 8th ranked overall defense and are 9th stopping the run and 9th defending the pass. Detroit will have to get RB Kevin Jones some running room which in turn will slow down the Giants pass rushers who lead the league in sacks. Giants Defensive Ends Osi Umenyoria, Michael Strahan and Justin Tuck will give Detroit’s offensive tackles Jeff Backus and George Foster much trouble protecting QB Jon Kitna. If Kitna does not have time to throw from the pocket it usually leads to sacks and fumbles or hurried throws and interceptions. Detroit has given up the most QB sacks in the NFL this season so this is a matchup that favors the potent Giants defensive front. Kitna will be executing a passing offense ranked 9th by throwing to Wideouts Roy Williams, Mike Furrey, Shaun McDonald and Calvin Johnson with his sore back. New York Corner Backs Sam Madison and Aaron Ross will rely on the pass rush to get to Kitna or safety help to help slow down the Lions receivers. No doubt the Giants are aware how well the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins were with a 4 man rush stopping the Lions Passing offense.

  • New York Giants Offense vs Detroit Lions Defense

New York with the 6th ranked rushing offense with RB Brandon Jacobs averaging 5.4 yards per carry goes up against Detroit’s 8th rated run defense. The Lions depend on Defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Cory Redding to plug the middle and Linebackers Ernie Sims and Paris Lenon to stop opponents from running the ball successfully. Detroit will miss DE Dewayne White if he is unable to play with a triceps injury. Giants QB Eli Manning will try to take advantage of the Lions lowly rated pass defense. Eli will look for Plaxico Burress, who has not practiced this week with an ankle injury but is probable to play, to use his size and strength to get open and exploit Lion Defensive Backs. TE Jeremy Shockey will be another frequent target for Manning . Shockey had 12 catches and a TD last week against Dallas. Detroit is 2nd in the NFL with 15 interceptions and near the top of the league in sacks and will look to force Manning into turnovers. Stopping the running game will help the Lions get sacks and force Manning to commit those turnovers. 

  • Your ‘Lion Eyes’ Blogger’s Thoughts

Both the Lions and Giants feel they have to win this game to gain a big edge in the NFC playoff picture. Detroit must find their rushing game to get some balance to the offensive attack. If Detroit can keep QB Jon Kitna from getting sacked too many times and can get RB Kevin Jones moving the ball on the ground it opens up the passing attack. This formula worked well during the Lions recent 3 game winning streak. Detroit abandoned the running game last week during the Arizona loss. Detroit has been successful stopping the running game of their opponents so far this season especially at home. New York will test the Lions with an excellent rushing attack. If the Lions can contain the Giants ground game and make QB Eli Manning throw a lot, it might lead to interceptions that Detroit relies on.  New York will try and pressure Kitna early and often hoping to get sacks and turnovers. The winner of the game will probably come from the team that does better with their keys:

  1. Detroit containing the Giants rushing game
  2. Detroit Protecting QB Kitna
  3. Giants rushing the ball
  4. Giants pressuring Kitna and generating sacks and turnovers

Detroit is unbeaten at home this season and hopes to be 5-0 at home after this game and 7-3 overall and leading the NFC Wildcard Playoff race. Your ‘Lion Eyes’ blogger thinks this will be a close game and be decided in the 4th quarter. Of course I hope for a Lions win so they can head into the Thanksgiving NFC North showdown with the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field in good shape. 

Tomorrow’s post will have the local Detroit media predictions along with the ESPN experts and MSNBC’s Jay Novacek’s predictions. Also my prediction will be in the post, though I have no idea at this point who to pick. Too close to call.

Cast your Vote in This Week’s Poll

    Which Team will Win the Game on Sunday November 18, 2007?

    • Detroit Lions (61%, 27 Votes)
    • New York Giants (39%, 17 Votes)

    Total Voters: 44

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Injury Report Source: Detroit Lions
Lions Week 11 IR Logo

Pos. Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday
T Jonathon Scott - Out Hand No Practice No Practice No Practice
DE Dewayne White - Doubtful Triceps No Practice No Practice No Practice
FB Jon Bradely- Probable Ankle Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
CB Fernando Bryant - Probable Foot Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice
QB Jon Kitna - Probable Back Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice
WR Calvin Johnson- Probable Back Not Listed Not Listed Full Practice
DE Ikaika Alama-Francis - Questionable Hamstring Not Listed Not Listed No Practice

New York Giants Week 11 IR Logo

Pos. Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday
WR Plaxico Burress - Probable Ankle No Practice No Practice No Practice
LB Antonio Pierce - Quest Concussion No Practice No Practice Full Practice
WR Steve Smith - Out Hamstring Limited Practice No Practice No Practice
RB Derrick Ward - Out Ankle/Groin No Practice No Practice No Practice

NFL Injury Report Logo

Reported Status Percent Chance to Play
Probable 75% Chance Player will Play in Game
Questionable 50% Chance Player will Play in Game
Doubtful 25% Chance Player will Play in Game
Out Player will not Play in Game


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