After another stellar performance from the New York Giants defense, Big Blue is now within striking distance of the playoffs.
- New York Giants 17 (10-4)
- Detroit Lions 6 (9-5)
- NFL, Final, Box Score
- MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
New York opened the scoring early, driving down the field after the opening kickoff. Eli Manning was perfect on the opening drive, which culminated in a touchdown on a corner route from rookie wideout Sterling Shepard.
HIGHLIGHT: Manning hits Sterling Shepard for the TD! #GiantsPride https://t.co/mB9jqmIdcZ
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 18, 2016
The Giants benefitted early from a pair of end zone fumbles, both of which went their way. With the Lions driving in the second quarter, Zach Zenner fumbled into the end zone, which was recovered by Olivier Vernon.
FUMBLE!!!!!!! @oliviervernon54 recovers in the endzone and it's #Giants ball! #DETvsNYG pic.twitter.com/rJJEWRvlBZ
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 18, 2016
Additionally, on a wild play late in the 2nd, Shane Vereen fumbled the ball into the end zone. After being bobbled by multiple Lions, the ball ended up in the hands of Victor Cruz in the end zone. However, the play was called back after a Bobby Hart penalty, and the drive resulted in a field goal.
Victor Cruz recovers fumble for TD. Salsas. And none of it counts because of penalty on Bobby Hart.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) December 18, 2016
The second half was a defensive master class from the Giants, as they held Detroit scoreless. This marks the third straight week that New York has held their opponent scoreless in the second half.
The cherry on top of the solid performance was the Odell Beckham Jr. touchdown in the fourth quarter. It capped off an impressive Giants drive and sealed the game for New York.
Week after week, ODELL BECKMAN IS ODELL BECKMAN. #NYGvsDET
— Spark Sports (@SparkSports) December 18, 2016
After Odell put the Giants up 17-6, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie sealed the game by picking off Stafford for the Lions’ second turnover of the day.
HIGHLIGHT: DRC picks off Stafford in the end zone! #DETvsNYG https://t.co/Ah1VlBr7TM
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 18, 2016
With the win, the Giants improve to 10-4, while the Lions drop to 9-5.
Next up, the Giants head to Philadelphia for some Thursday Night Football against their arch rival, the Eagles.
"A great team win against a very good football team. It's a short week; we have to enjoy this one fast." – Coach McAdoo
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 18, 2016
"The defense played lights out today." – Coach McAdoo #GiantsPride
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 18, 2016
"We have a relentless mentality." – DRC #GiantsPride
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 18, 2016
