With most of their starting lineups rested, the Giants opened their preseason with a solid performance that earned them a 14-3 victory over the Detroit Lions.

After a slow start, starter Drew Lock appeared to be suffering from a side or hip injury and was taken out of the game late in the first quarter with the Giants trailing 3-0. Lock had completed just four of 10 passes for 17 yards and one interception.

With Tommy DeVito at the top, two touchdown runs in the second quarter by Eric Gray gave the Giants a 14-3 halftime lead while limiting the Lions to just 87 yards of offense. Gray even topped that number on just eight touches, with 98 yards from the offensive zone. DeVito had 92 passing yards after completing 8 of 15 passes.

The Lions lost the ball four times on offense, including twice after advancing to the Giants’ 10-yard line in the second half, which resulted in no points.

Here are the findings…

-Although almost all of them did not play their starting offensive, Stud Rookie Malik Nabers did, and every time it looked like the Giants were going to get something for him, the tension was high. A few times it looked like he was free, or at least half-free, on the field, but Lock chose not to pull the trigger, much to the disappointment of the fans.

-Lock’s interception in the first quarter came when Nabers ran a route to the sideline, but Lock threw into traffic up the middle. Given Nabers’ impressive contested catches in training camp, it’s surprising that Lock didn’t try to throw him the ball at least once.

–Jalin Hyatt is another potential key player who was used early and caught a pass for a short gain on the first series. Neither Hyatt nor Nabers played after the first quarter.

-The preseason is always a good time for special team members to promote themselves and wide receivers Miles Boykin did just that when he impressed in the primary punt gunner role, coming forward to return every Jamie Gillan‘s first two punts, the first of which was botched. Boykin struck hard and botched the second punt return, losing the ball again, although the returner was ultimately ruled down.

-Different to Deontay BanksIn defence, they were all substitutes – or players who have not yet secured a starting position. Banks made a physical play on the third attempt when he lined up inside and tackled a short pass. Shane BowenThe defense was solid at the beginning as they only allowed 15 yards in the first quarter and did not manage any first downs.

-The Giants’ rookie defensive backs also showed physicality, Dr Phillips prevented a run in the backfield and Tyler Nubin a pulling lineman on a 3rd-and-2 run stuff. The latter play also showed good penetration of Jordan Riley and a clean-up tackle from Dynatae Johnson, who also had a sack and a tackle with a loss in the first half.

-None of the Giants’ planned starters on the offensive line were used and the Lions were able to build a lot of pressure against the reserves. Josh Ezeudu And Austin Schlottman allowed sacks in the first quarter. Their run blocking wasn’t bad, though.

-Gray, who was so unimpressive as a rookie last season, appears to be making a leap this season based on the second quarter drive where he caught a 24-yard pass on a wheel route and then burst into the open and made a 48-yard touchdown run. Gray struggles with rookie Thomas B. for the role of second backup, and Tracy also delivered a good performance with 26 yards on five attempts, including first downs on each of his last three touches.

-Gray scored again on the next possession after Tyree Jackson‘s 18-yard catch and run to the goal line. The tight end redeemed himself with this play after he had made a drop during the drive.

-Other defenders who made an impression in the first half were Boogie Basham And Elijah Chatman, who each recorded one sack, and Tre Herndonwho intercepted a pass shortly before halftime. On the return, however, Herndon played the ball back to the Lions.

-One player who made an impression in the second half was the undrafted rookie running back Dante Miller, who showed good speed. He ended up with 63 rushing yards, the most of the game.

Highlights

What happens next?

The Giants will head to their next preseason game. New York will face the Texans on Saturday, August 17th at 1 p.m.