The Lions haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher, haven’t surrendered 300 yards through the air, and now return home to face one of the NFL’s most struggling offenses — but fans know the margin for error is shrinking fast.
For the first time since their disappointing home loss to Minnesota earlier this month, the Detroit Lions return to Ford Field on Sunday, and for Lions fans, it feels like the perfect moment to reset the season. Detroit enters Week 12 at 6-4, heavy favorites by 10.5 points over the 2-9 New York Giants, but a long injury list and a short week looming add urgency to what should be a favorable matchup.
Detroit’s projected injury report ballooned again this week, with safety Kerby Joseph (knee) and rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold (concussion) listed as nonparticipants in every practice. Joseph is trending toward missing his fifth straight game, while Arnold remains in protocol and appears unlikely to be cleared in time. For a secondary that is already thin, their absence is a concern, even against a Giants offense that ranks 22nd in scoring at 21.5 points per game.
The good news is Detroit gets reinforcements. Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez returned from injured reserve and practiced fully, bringing much-needed speed and downhill aggressiveness to the middle of the defense. Cornerback D.J. Reed, limited all week, is considered “hopeful” to play, according to head coach Dan Campbell. Pass rusher Marcus Davenport, out since Week 2, also practiced on a limited basis, his closest step yet toward returning.
Despite the injuries, Detroit’s defense has quietly built one of the league’s most reliable statistical profiles. The Lions have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher this season and have not allowed a single 300-yard passer. They rank fifth in total yards allowed per game (291.8), an impressive number considering the rotating cast of defensive starters.
From a fan’s perspective, those stats matter even more against a Giants offense dealing with injury uncertainty of its own. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, the most dynamic element of New York’s attack, has been limited in practice as he works back from a concussion. His status could directly impact how aggressive Detroit plays defensively; without him at full strength, the Giants have struggled to sustain drives or generate explosive plays.
Offensively, Detroit has every reason to feel confident. The Lions enter the week ranked fifth in yards per game (366.9) and fifth in scoring (29.2 points per game). A big reason: quarterback Jared Goff is playing very exceptional at Ford Field. Goff leads the NFL in completion percentage (74.0%), ranks second in passing touchdowns (20), passer rating (117.7), passing first-down rate (41.4%), and passing touchdown percentage (7.3%), and is fifth in yards per attempt.
He now draws a Giants defense that has been one of the league’s most generous. New York allows the fourth-most yards per game (375.1), the third-most points per game (27.3), and the third-most rushing yards per game (149.9). Against a Lions offense averaging 130.1 rushing yards per game (7th in the NFL), this is a matchup Detroit should control physically from the opening snap.
The key, especially for fans anxious after a tough road loss to the Eagles, is not letting the Giants hang around. Ford Field has been one of the league’s loudest environments, and this is the Lions’ first chance in weeks to regain momentum in front of their home crowd. With a Thanksgiving showdown against Green Bay just days away, this game becomes as much about rhythm and confidence as it is about standings.
If Detroit sticks to its identity, running the ball with authority, letting Goff operate efficiently, and relying on a defense that has outperformed expectations, this is a game the Lions should win convincingly. The injuries are real, and the margin for error is shrinking, but the matchup leans heavily in Detroit’s favor.
Prediction: Lions 31, Giants 10