Giants at Lions, Week 8: Big Blue View staff picks

How do your Big Blue View contributors see Sunday’s New York Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals game working out? Not well for the Giants. Read on to find out why.

Chris Pflum

With all due respect to Bill Parcells, record doesn’t always tell the whole story about who and what a team is. The Detroit Lions are a team that has been playing much better than its record would indicate.

Their defense isn’t performing up to expectations, but Matt Stafford has been on fire and playing some of his best football against some of the League’s best pass defenses. Stafford doesn’t have a sky-high completion percentage, but he is attacking deep and connecting for big plays. And while Kerryon Johnson is out, the Lions spread the ball around to a variety of receivers and they are all producing.

The Giants might be able to take advantage of a secondary that seems to be in disarray with the trade of Quandre Diggs and a less-than-gruntled Darius Slay (can we take a minute to spare a thought for announcers who might have to call matchup between WR Darius Slayton on CB Darius Slay?). However the Lions appear set to get DT Da’Shawn Hand back from injury and slot CB Justin Coleman — who will be covering former Lion Golden Tate — has been playing at a Pro Bowl level.

Perhaps New York will be able to create enough big plays to hang around and surprise at the end, but if they let this game get away from them early, it could snowball.

Pick: Lions 27, Giants 17
Season record: 5-2

Joe DeLeone

It seems every week the Giants are playing a different talented team that is working to get back on track after a difficult run. This week is no different. Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense are on a hot run lately, but had no support from their defense.

While the Giants offense will have an easier day to navigate the ball down the field, their defense will not be able to handle Detroit.

Pick: Lions 30, Giants 20
Season record: 5-2

Mark Schofield

The rebirth of sorts for Matthew Stafford this season has been fascinating to watch. Stafford has been pushing the football downfield more in an offense that seems tailored to his strengths as a passer. That will play a big role in this one.

Pick: Detroit 27, Giants 14
Season record: 5-2

Matt Williamson

The Lions have played well, but their record doesn’t really reflect it. But this is a team in somewhat disarray right now and could be vulnerable. I am expecting a close game, but a Detroit victory in the end.

Pick: Detroit 24, Giants 20
Season record: 6-1

Emily Iannaconi

The Giants head into Sunday’s game against the Lions as 7-point underdogs even though both teams have only two wins this season. Daniel Jones and the Giants have hit a slump that I don’t think they will be able to dig themselves out of this week. The Lions are leading New York in almost every offensive category, including points scored (24.8), total yards (380.3) and passing yards (277.2). As far as rushing, the Giants have 105.6 yards and the Lions are close behind at 103.2. The Lions’ total yards and passing yards are ranked in the top 10 in the league overall. The game will be close, but I think that ultimately the Lions will overpower the Giants on their home turf Sunday.

Pick: Detroit 21, Giants 17
Season record: 1-1

Joseph Czikk

A somewhat disheveled Lions squad will still win this contest after a strange week in which Quandre Diggs, a respected team captain, was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks. Regardless, the Lions are a better team than New York.

Matt Stafford and the 8th-ranked Lions offense are legit - even after losing Golden Tate to the Giants. On the other hand, the loss of Diggs should hurt Detroit’s 2nd-worst defense in yards allowed. And remember - only 12 teams in the NFL have played only six games. Detriot is one of them, and has still allowed the second-most yards against. The defense is bad.

The Giants will reach the endzone a few times on Sunday but as it stands right now, Detroit is still a stronger team.

Pick: Lions 28 Giants 21
Season record: 4-2

Ed Valentine

Coming off their most disappointing game of the season, I can’t feel good about the Giants’ chances of going on the road and pulling off an upset in this one. The Lions’ big-play passing attack is a bad matchup for the Giants. Detroit’s defense hasn’t been good, but Daniel Jones’ rookie growing pains aren’t going to magically vanish. The Giants have a chance here, but I can’t pick the upset.

Pick: Lions 27, Giants 20
Season record: 5-2