Both the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants came into their first game of the 2014 NFL season looking to atone for disappointing 7-9 campaigns last season.
The rebuilt Giants offense has been tailor-made to facilitate a bounce-back season for Giants quarterback Eli Manning - giving him weapons on the ground such as new RB Rashad Jennings in order to help him reduce his workload and interception count.
For the Lions, a rejuvenated pass rush mixed with their video game-like offense (3rd in total yards in 2013) seem poised to shed some of the horrid luck the team had in close games last season.
While he captains one of the most dynamic and athletic offensive units in all of football, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford isn't quite known for his mobility. However, he put on a footwork clinic to provide the game's first huge play - rolling out of pressure to his right to find a wide-open Calvin Johnson for a 67-yard TD connection on the Lions' first drive.
Stafford was absolutely money in the first quarter, as he zoomed his focus in on Johnson and RB Reggie Bush while completing seven of his first eight passes for 149 yards and two Megatron touchdowns (the second coming on an absolutely highlight-reel diving catch by the fantasy football favorite).
Stafford's amazing first 10 minutes set a career-high for him in pass yards for a quarter (he finished the frame 8-for-11 for 152 yards) , while Johnson's 98 receiving yards also set a career benchmark.
The Giants' offense, on the other hand, couldn't get themselves out of neutral for most of the first 15 minutes. New York failed to establish the running game on their first three drives - a crucial problem for an offense structured around the ground attack.
Rashad Jennings would carry the ball five times for six yards in the first quarter, putting the onus on Eli Manning to do damage via the air. Only once the holes started opening up for Jennings in the early second (and the Lions' seven penalties in the first 16 minutes started taking their toll) would Manning be able to lead the Giants' offense to pay dirt on a 13-play, 79-yard touchdown drive to halve the Lions' advantage to 14-7.
The Giants' defense would buckle in and force two straight three-and-outs, as the game's momentum would swing in New York's favor for just a few minutes. However, the Lions' defense would also pull together, as they used pressure from their vaunted front seven to stall New York's forward push.
With neither running attack able to find daylight, the game remained a battle of arms in the waning moments of the half. The advantage in that contest went to Stafford who finished the half 7-for-7 for over 100 yards passing on third downs.
However, that wouldn't translate to any more points in the first half as a missed 43-yard field goal by K Nate Freese would keep the Lions off the board. The Giants wouldn't be able to capitalize with just two minutes left, as the teams would trade fruitless drives before the clock expired.
The Lions headed into the locker room up 14-7, but frustrated with penalties that stopped them from extending that lead.
Lions' Player(s) of the Half: QB Matthew Stafford (14-for-17, 212 yards, 2 TD) & WR Calvin Johnson (5 catches, 131 yards, 2 TD)
Giants' Player of the Half: TE Larry Donnell (4 catches, 40 yards, 1 TD)
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