The Detroit Lions dropped their preseason opener on Thursday night against the New York Giants, losing 14-3.
As you'd expect with mostly backups playing, this wasn't a particularly pretty game for either team, but that was especially true for the Lions, who struggled to get much going on the offensive side of the ball.
There were a few bright spots for Detroit, like quarterback Hendon Hooker, who completed 5-of-9 passes for 36 yards and rushed for 34 yards on four carries. His most impressive play came in the third quarter, when he absolutely trucked a defender during a scramble.
Running back Sione Vaki also had an impressive showing in his limited work, carrying the ball four times for 29 yards. His 15-yard carry was his best of the night.
Hooker showing off the wheels and πͺ #DETvsNYG | πΊ Lions TV Network pic.twitter.com/o2awO9tvvS
β Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 9, 2024
.@sione_vaki showing off the moves on the way to a pickup of 15#DETvsNYG | πΊ Lions TV Network pic.twitter.com/lDwI2lHhjd
β Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 9, 2024
But ultimately, the Lions couldn't convert on any of their three trips inside the red zone. They also failed to convert on four fourth-down tries. Quarterback Nate Sudfeld started and did not have a good game.
Detroit's defense started off strong but wavered in the second quarter, when the Giants scored both of their touchdowns, one of which came on an impressive 48-yard scamper by running back Eric Gray. The Lions' defense settled down after that, though, and didn't give up another point the rest of the way.
There are a few injuries to talk about, as Hooker exited early. It remains unclear what he's dealing with as of this writing. Also, offensive lineman Connor Galvin appeared to suffer a serious leg injury in the fourth quarter, which led to the cart being brought out.
The Lions will continue their preseason slate on Saturday, Aug. 17, against the Chiefs in Kansas City.
Lions vs. Giants final score
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Lions | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Giants | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Lions vs. Giants live updates, highlights from preseason Week 1
(All times eastern)
Fourth quarter
10:11 p.m.: The Giants are running out the final two minutes and this one is over. New York wins, 14-3.
10:06 P.M.: We are at the two-minute warning with the Giants facing a 3rd-and-4 from their own 24.
10:01 p.m.: Another Lions drive stalls in the red zone. Sudfeld got hit on fourth down as he threw it and the ball ended up on the ground. Giants ball.
9:58 p.m.: Nate Sudfeld has started to settle in and now the Lions are threatening after a Giants pass interference sets them up at the 10-yard line. UDFA Isaiah Williams has a 10-yard catch on the drive and is having a nice night.
9:56 p.m.: Offensive lineman Connor Galvin got his leg rolled up on and the cart is coming out for him.
Offensive lineman Connor Galvin down for the Lions and here comes the cart. Hate to see that. #DETvsNYG
β Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) August 9, 2024
9:44 p.m.: Hendon Hooker went into the blue medical tent and then went to the back. Nate Sudfeld is back in, so it looks like Hooker's night is done. There's no update on what he's dealing with, though.
Hendon Hooker has just come out of the blue medical tent on the sideline and is heading toward the locker room
β kyle meinke (@kmeinke) August 9, 2024
Third quarter
9:30 p.m.: The drive ended up stalling after a failed fourth-down try, but Hendon Hooker absolutely ran over this Giants defender. The second-year quarterback is showing off his wheels in the third quarter.
Hooker showing off the wheels and πͺ #DETvsNYG | πΊ Lions TV Network pic.twitter.com/o2awO9tvvS
β Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 9, 2024
8:57 p.m.: The Giants handed the Lions a first down with a penalty but Hooker and Co. couldn't do anything with it. Lions are punting it away.
8:53: The second half is underway and Hendon Hooker is taking over for Nate Sudfeld. Let's see what the young quarterback can do.
Second quarter
8:47 p.m.:Lions top first-half performers
RB Sione Vaki: 4 carries, 29 yards
K Jake Bates: 1-1 FG (53 yards)
S Brandon Joseph: 3 tackles, INT, PD
DE Nate Lynn: 2 QB hits, Sack
DE Isaac Ukwu: Sack
Brodric Martin: 2 tackles, PD, pressure
8:39: After another failed drive, the Lions punt it away and that's the end of the first half. The Lions have just 87 total yards through three quarters, including just 24 through the air. Sudfeld has been bad, and the Lions' defense has not been good, either, after a strong start.
Meanwhile, the Giants have 172 total yards of offense, with 82 through the air and 90 on the ground.
8:34 p.m.: Sudfeld gets picked off inside the Giants' 10-yard line by Tre Herndon, but New York coughs up the football after a long return. Great pursuit by Kayode Awosika to get back and force the fumble, and Vaki recovers. Disaster averted, but Sudfeld continues to struggle.
8:27 p.m.: Sione Vaki makes an appearance and rips off two nice runs in the same drive, one for nine yards and one for 15. We've hit the two-minute warning.
.@sione_vaki showing off the moves on the way to a pickup of 15#DETvsNYG | πΊ Lions TV Network pic.twitter.com/lDwI2lHhjd
β Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 9, 2024
8:19 p.m.: Eric Gray punches it in from one yard out after another impressive drive for Tommy DeVito. Extra point is good and it's 14-3 Giants. Lions' defense has cooled off considerably after a good start.
Giants went at Morice Norris in coverage for an 18-yard gain that set up another Eric Gray TD run. Not how he imagined this night going, I would assume
β Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) August 9, 2024
8:16 p.m.: After falling just short of the first-down marker on third down, the Lions went for it on fourth with a QB sneak by Sudfeld but he's short. Giants take over at the Lions' 37.
Sudfeld short on the 4th down sneak. That's 1 first down and 43 total yards for the Lions offense on 6 drives. #DETvsNYG
β Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) August 9, 2024
8:08 p.m.: The Giants are on the board. Running back Eric Gray found a nice hole, ripped off a beautiful cutback move and took it to the house for a 48-yard score to cap off a 91-yard drive. Extra point is good and it's 7-3 Giants.
β New York Giants (@Giants) August 9, 2024Eric Gray to the HOUSE! π
πΊ: FOX5 pic.twitter.com/WiJDanLkqt
7:58 p.m.: After moving the sticks, the Lions couldn't sustain the drive and are punting yet again.
7:56 p.m.: The Lions have a first down! Sudfeld connects with Shane Zylstra over the middle to move the sticks.
First quarter
7:52 p.m.: Brodric Martin is on the board with his first sack on first down, with the assist going to UDFA Nate Lynn. And that's the end of the first quarter.
Brodric Martin up the middle like a bat out of hell, leading to a sack for UDFA rookie Nate Lynn
β Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) August 8, 2024
7:49 p.m.: Yet another three-and-out for the Lions' offense, which has not moved the chains yet. Sudfeld has not looked good thus far. He had an open receiver on third down but looked like he lost his grip when throwing. Another Lions punt.
Lions offense through four drives
β Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) August 8, 2024
- 12 plays
- 15 yards
- Sudfeld 1/5 passing
7:44 p.m.: Giants quarterback Drew Lock is dealing with an apparent injury and is exiting the game. Giants are punting after another failed drive.
7:39 p.m.: We have our first score and it comes off the foot of kicker Jake Bates, who drilled a field goal from 53 yards. The Lions' offense still wasn't able to get anything going, though. Nevertheless, a good start for the Lions kicker.
Jake Bates is π° from 53βοΈ#DETvsNYG | πΊ Lions TV Network pic.twitter.com/va1B5v1oH1
β Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 8, 2024
7:33 p.m.: Interception! Brandon Joseph notches the game's first pick at midfield, and he adds a nice return to it. The Lions are in business at the Giants' 35.
.@BrandonJoseph_1 picks it off!#DETvsNYG | πΊ Lions TV Network pic.twitter.com/UnKSpU2Ozx
β Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 8, 2024
7:30 p.m.: Isaac Ukwu off to a strong start. After tallying a sack earlier, he just posted a pressure.
Another pressure for UDFA Isaac Ukwu off the edge after he picked up a sack on the previous drive.
β Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) August 8, 2024
7:27 p.m.: A look at the Lions' starting offensive line.
Lions opening OL preseason game 1 (left to right):
β Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) August 8, 2024
Skipper, Awosika, Eguakun, Neise, Sorsdal
7:25 p.m.: Yet another three-and-out for the Lions' offense. Detroit went with three straight handoffs to Reynolds. He gained three and five yards but was stuffed on third down. Lions punting again.
7:19 p.m.: SACK! Undrafted free agent Isaac Ukwu gets to Drew Lock to force a punt. Coverage played a big part in that one, but Ukwu showed good motor to stay with the play and eventually get around the edge.
SACKβοΈ@isaacukwu got 'em#DETvsNYG | πΊ Lions TV Network pic.twitter.com/Vqs4PFKHKt
β Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 8, 2024
7:18 p.m.: A good start for Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Really nice start for second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw, who started at outside cornerback and made a third-down tackle to open the game, then beat everyone downfield on his first punt coverage rep and dropped the returner
β kyle meinke (@kmeinke) August 8, 2024
7:14 p.m.: Nothing happening for the Lions on their first offensive drive. Craig Reynolds had a three-yard rush and Sudfeld completed a short pass for no gain on third down after getting sacked the play before. Looks like Sudfeld missed Daurice Fountain deep before rolling out and getting sacked. Lions are punting.
7:12 p.m.: Maurice Alexander was back to receive the first punt, but he muffed it. Thankfully, the Lions recovered but a penalty will push them back to their own 10-yard line. Nate Sudfeld is getting the start.
7:11 p.m.: Good start for the Lions' defense, as the Giants go three and out. New York gained just five yards over their first three plays.
7:09 p.m.: And we're off! The Giants are starting from their own 20 after a penalty on the kickoff.
Pregame
7:08 p.m.: The Lions have won the toss and deferred. Detroit's defense will take the field first.
Lions won the toss and defer. Defense up first to start the preseason
β Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) August 8, 2024
6:53 p.m.: Notable Giants starters set to play.
β Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 8, 2024. @Schmeelk just said on the pregame show that Malik Nabers WILL play in the first quarter tonight. Jalin Hyatt also expected to play, per Schmeelk. No Daniel Jones, Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson and the starting OL aside from Aaron Stinnie.
On defense, no Dexter Lawrence,β¦
6:44 p.m.: A look at the players who aren't dressed tonight, courtesy of Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network.
Also Branch, Davenport and the injured guys, Moseley, Cominsky, Reader, Mahogany.
β Justin Rogers | Detroit Football Network (@Justin_Rogers) August 8, 2024
6:25 p.m: It looks like we might see rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold get some snaps tonight. If so, it'll obviously be his first game action in the NFL. Fellow rookie corner Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is also suited up.
Agent 0οΈβ£ leading 'em out pic.twitter.com/U81VvFa8B8
β Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 8, 2024
6:20 p.m.: A closer look at the new unis. They are absolutely gorgeous. On a side note: we are just 40 minutes from gametime!
New look, same grit pic.twitter.com/iCEA01s7aI
β Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 8, 2024
5:34 p.m.: A look at the new uniforms.
New uniforms! pic.twitter.com/l0Y7qWzKc4
β Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) August 8, 2024
5:23 p.m.: The vibes are high!
vibes are high pic.twitter.com/nsodqXPuYg
β Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 8, 2024
4:51 p.m.:Head coach Dan Campbell has made his way into the building and quarterback Hendon Hooker, who will be playing the first game action of his NFL career, is on the field warming up. This is a big game for Hooker, who is trying to win the backup quarterback job over Nate Sudfeld.
Hendon Hooker going through warmups pic.twitter.com/nPjBAlvLTa
β Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) August 8, 2024
Dan Campbellβs in the building pic.twitter.com/oyZ5RfD8C5
β Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 8, 2024
How to watch Lions vs. Giants
When:Thursday, Aug. 8, 7 p.m. ET
Where:MetLife Stadium
Television (local):FOX 2 (List of Lions TV affiliates)
Streaming (national):NFL+
Radio:Lions Radio Network|SiriusXM 381
