New York Giants vs Detroit Lions: Match Player Stats & Box Score

The New York Giants secured a 14-3 victory over the Detroit Lions in their preseason opener on August 8, 2024, at MetLife Stadium. Running back Eric Gray proved instrumental, accounting for all Giants scoring with two rushing touchdowns. The Lions managed only a field goal from Jake Bates, marking a defensive battle that showcased backup players on both rosters.

Neither team deployed starters, as is customary for opening preseason matchups. The contest provided an opportunity for depth players to demonstrate their value ahead of roster cutdown deadlines. Detroit’s offense struggled to generate momentum, while New York relied on its ground game to establish control after a scoreless first quarter.

The game attendance and detailed weather conditions were not widely reported. Neither coaching staff issued postgame statements readily available to media. The limited participation of star players means these statistics primarily reflect backup quarterback and reserve performer performance levels.

What are the player stats for New York Giants vs Detroit Lions?

The box score revealed a defensive-dominated contest where the Giants totaled 155 rushing yards compared to Detroit’s 132 on the ground. Through the air, both teams posted modest numbers, with New York completing 27 passes for 155 yards and Detroit managing 18 completions for 132 yards. No touchdowns were thrown by either squad, as scoring came exclusively via rushing plays and a single field goal.

Key Takeaways from the Box Score

• Eric Gray emerged as the game’s most impactful player, scoring both Giants touchdowns and leading New York receivers with 46 yards on 4 catches
• Tommy DeVito demonstrated solid backup quarterback mechanics, completing 8 of 15 passes for 92 yards without committing a turnover
• Nate Sudfeld struggled in his Lions debut, throwing one interception alongside his 96 passing yards on 13 completions
• The Giants defense held Detroit to just three points while recording at least one interception
• Dante Miller led New York’s rushing attack with 63 yards on 12 carries as part of the 155-yard team total
• Hendon Hooker showed dual-threat capability for Detroit with 34 rushing yards on just 4 carries
• No official MVP was announced, consistent with typical preseason game conventions

Statistical Comparison by Category

Who were the top passing leaders in Giants vs Lions?

Quarterback play defined much of the offensive inefficiency throughout this preseason matchup. Neither team featured their projected starters, with both franchises opting to evaluate backup options during the opening exhibition contest. The Lions deployed Nate Sudfeld as their primary signal-caller, while the Giants relied on Tommy DeVito to manage their offensive possessions.

Detroit Lions Quarterback Performance

Nate Sudfeld received the majority of playing time under center for Detroit, completing 13 of 24 pass attempts for 96 yards with one interception and zero touchdowns. His completion percentage of 54.2% reflected inconsistent accuracy, and he was sacked multiple times behind an offensive line that struggled to establish protection. His quarterback rating hovered around 46.5, indicating below-average performance for the exhibition slate.

Hendon Hooker served as Detroit’s backup, finishing 5 of 9 passing for 36 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. The 55.6% completion rate suggested better accuracy than Sudfeld, though his limited attempts prevented significant statistical impact. Hooker also contributed 34 rushing yards on 4 carries, demonstrating mobility that could factor into Detroit’s quarterback depth chart discussions.

New York Giants Quarterback Performance

Tommy DeVito represented New York’s primary quarterback, completing 8 of 15 passes for 92 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. His performance showed efficiency in protecting the football, avoiding turnovers that could have shifted momentum. The Giants’ passing attack prioritized short-to-intermediate routes, allowing DeVito to distribute the ball without forcing contested throws.

What were the rushing stats in Giants vs Lions game?

The ground game proved decisive in determining the game’s outcome, with the Giants accumulating 155 rushing yards across 27 carries compared to Detroit’s 132 yards on 33 attempts. New York’s efficiency on the ground generated multiple explosive plays, while Detroit’s rushing attack remained balanced but lacked the big-play capability required to finish drives.

New York Giants Rushing Leaders

• Dante Miller: 12 carries, 63 yards, 5.2 average – led the team in rushing attempts and total yards
• Eric Gray: 48-yard run and 1-yard run for 2 touchdowns – averaged significant yards per carry on his scoring plays
• Tyjon Jackson: Contributed additional yards in limited carries
• Team Total: 27 carries, 155 yards, 2 touchdowns

Detroit Lions Rushing Leaders

• Hendon Hooker: 4 carries, 34 yards, 8.5 average, 16-yard long – showcased mobility and elusiveness
• Sione Vaki: 4 carries, 29 yards, 7.2 average, 15-yard long – demonstrated breakaway speed potential
• Nate Sudfeld: 3 carries, 14 yards, 4.7 average – contributed as ball-carrier from quarterback position
• Zeke Knight: 6 carries, 12 yards – served as early-down depth option
• Chris Reynolds: 4 carries, 11 yards – rotational depth piece
• Team Total: 33 carries, 132 yards, 0 touchdowns

Who were the top receivers Giants Lions match?

Receiving statistics reflected conservative passing approaches from both teams, with quarterbacks favoring check-down routes and short completions over downfield passing. Eric Gray led all receivers for the Giants despite operating primarily as a running back, demonstrating the versatility that earned him significant playing time in the exhibition. You can find additional NFL player stats and analysis on our Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays coverage for more sports statistical comparisons.

New York Giants Receiving Leaders

• Eric Gray: 4 receptions, 46 yards, 11.5 average, 24-yard long – versatile impact across positions
• Tyjon Jackson: 2 receptions, 34 yards, 17.0 average, 18-yard long – demonstrated big-play capability
• Allan Robinson: 1 reception, 9 yards – veteran presence in passing game
• Other Contributors: Limited receptions distributed among depth receivers

Detroit Lions Receiving Leaders

• Isaiah Williams: 4 receptions, 35 yards, 8.8 average, 13-yard long – led Lions receivers in both receptions and yards
• Donovan Peoples-Jones: 1 reception, 26 yards, 26-yard long – single grab demonstrated downfield ability
• Antoine Green: 3 receptions, 13 yards – consistent possession receiver
• Jameson Mitchell: 1 reception, 11 yards – contributed in limited opportunities

What are the defensive stats New York Giants vs Detroit Lions?

Defensive performance proved decisive, as the Giants held Detroit to a single field goal across four quarters while generating consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Full defensive statistics remained limited in available box score reporting, though individual highlights emerged from both secondaries and front-seven units.

Defensive Highlights by Team

The Lions recorded at least one team interception during the contest, though specific player attribution varied across reporting sources. Darius Gilbert recorded 4 tackles with 4 solo stops and one pass deflection, while Myles Jefferson added 4 tackles from his defensive position. Detroit’s pass rush generated multiple hurries, though official sack statistics remained inconsistent across box score providers.

New York’s defense deserves particular credit for limiting Detroit to three points despite the Lions accumulating 264 total yards. The Giants’ defensive unit forced the turnover that created short-field opportunity for their offense, converting the miscue into a decisive scoring drive. Tackling efficiency and run-lane integrity characterized New York’s defensive approach throughout the evening.

Who won Giants vs Lions and what were the key stats?

The New York Giants defeated the Detroit Lions 14-3 in their preseason Week 1 matchup on August 8, 2024, at MetLife Stadium. The victory marked New York’s first preseason win while Detroit fell to 0-1 in exhibition play. Eric Gray served as the game’s difference-maker, accounting for all Giants scoring through two rushing touchdowns.

Scoring summary showed the Lions’ Jake Bates connecting on a 53-yard field goal at 3:21 of the first quarter for Detroit’s only points. The Giants responded with Eric Gray’s 48-yard rushing touchdown at 9:12 of the second quarter, followed by his 1-yard score at 4:49 of the same period. Graham Gano handled the first extra point while Jude McAtamney kicked the second, securing the 14-3 final margin.

Key Statistical Differential

• Turnovers: Giants committed 0 turnovers versus Lions’ 1 interception – the decisive factor in a low-scoring affair
• Rushing Touchdowns: Giants scored 2 on the ground, Lions managed 0 – New York’s ground efficiency created separation
• Big Plays: Giants’ 48-yard run represented the game’s longest play, directly resulting in points
• Quarterback Efficiency: DeVito’s zero turnovers outperformed Sudfeld’s one interception

Scoring Timeline by Quarter

The game’s scoring developed asymmetrically, with all points arriving during the first two quarters. Detroit struck first through Jake Bates’ field goal, while New York dominated the second quarter with both of Eric Gray’s touchdown runs. Neither team scored after halftime, as both coaching staffs evaluated depth players without significant offensive production.

1. First Quarter, 3:21 remaining: Jake Bates 53-yard field goal – Detroit 3, New York 0
2. Second Quarter, 9:12 remaining: Eric Gray 48-yard rushing touchdown (Graham Gano kick) – Detroit 3, New York 7
3. Second Quarter, 4:49 remaining: Eric Gray 1-yard rushing touchdown (Jude McAtamney kick) – Detroit 3, New York 14
4. Third Quarter: No scoring – Giants maintained 14-3 lead
5. Fourth Quarter: No scoring – Giants preserve victory

Data Completeness: What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Official NFL statistics confirmed several key metrics from this preseason matchup, though gaps existed in comprehensive reporting. Understanding which data points are verified versus provisional helps contextualize analysis and identifies areas requiring further investigation through official league sources.

Game Context and Season Implications

This preseason opener held significance beyond the final score, as both franchises evaluated roster candidates in controlled environments. The Giants’ victory provided confidence for depth players competing for final roster spots, particularly Eric Gray whose versatile performance strengthened his case for elevated responsibilities during the regular season.

Detroit’s loss highlighted areas requiring attention before the regular season, specifically quarterback backup depth and defensive consistency. Nate Sudfeld’s interception-prone performance raised questions about contingency plans should starter Jared Goff miss playing time. The Lions’ coaching staff must determine whether internal development or external acquisition better addresses backup quarterback concerns.

The game marked the first of two meetings between these teams during 2024, with a Week 12 regular-season matchup producing a different outcome. Detroit defeated New York 34-27 in that contest, suggesting the preseason evaluation did not necessarily predict regular-season success for either roster’s depth players.

Sources and Statistical References

Multiple official and media sources provided box score data for this analysis. ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, and the Detroit Lions’ official website each published game statistics with varying levels of granularity. The consistency of core metrics across sources strengthens confidence in reported figures, while discrepancies in detailed categories reflect differing data collection methodologies.

Eric Gray led the Giants by scoring both touchdowns on rushes of 48 yards and 1 yard.

— ESPN Game Summary

• ESPN Game Coverage – Primary scoring summary and player statistics
• ESPN Box Score – Detailed statistical breakdown by team and player
• CBS Sports Box Score – Alternative statistical compilation
• Fox Sports Game Boxscore – Rushing and receiving detail
• ESPN Play-by-Play – Chronological scoring and possession data
• Detroit Lions Official Box Score – Team-authoritative statistics
• AS.com Box Score Data – Supplementary quarterback metrics

Summary

The New York Giants’ 14-3 preseason victory over the Detroit Lions on August 8, 2024, showcased Eric Gray’s two-touchdown performance as the game’s defining storyline. Defensive dominance characterized the contest, with New York’s defense forcing a turnover that created short-field opportunity for the winning points. Both teams utilized the exhibition to evaluate backup quarterbacks and roster depth, with Tommy DeVito’s zero-turnover performance contrasting Nate Sudfeld’s one-interception showing for Detroit. For more 2024 NFL standings and statistical comparisons, explore our New York Yankees Standings – 2024 Record, AL East Title & Stats page for additional sports analysis.

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