New York Giants at Detroit Lions: Twitter Reaction and Full Postgame Quotes

The Detroit Lions opened the 2014 season with a bang, defeating the visiting New York Giants 34-14.

Detroit was in control all night thanks to a strong start:

"

Giants getting blown out, cannot contain Calvin Johnson, a second TD catch and it's 14-0. Stafford making it look easy.

— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) September 8, 2014"

The first Johnson touchdown was an unmitigated coverage disaster for the Giants. Megatron is the best wideout in the game, but even he should never be this open...

"

Looks pretty open there RT @EyeOnNFL: Might want to put a body on Calvin Johnson pic.twitter.com/vH6QPsZewK

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 8, 2014"

Detroit's oft-maligned defense came out of the tunnel all fired up too. They pounced early on an inexperienced Giants offensive line and underwhelming receiving corps. It helped that Eli Manning was not sharp. 

"

#Lions Stafford 8-11, 152 yds, 2 TDs, 154.4 QB rating. #Giants Manning 3-7, 33 yds, 57.4 QB rating. End of first Q. #Giants at #Lions

— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) September 9, 2014"

"

What an absolutely full-blown unmitigated disaster of a first quarter for the #Giants.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 8, 2014"

Unfortunately, an old nemesis reared its ugly head as the first half progressed. The Lions kept the officiating crew busy with a litany of penalties. 

"

The #Lions have seven penalties for 70 yards 17 minutes into the game. #discipline

— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) September 9, 2014"

The Giants were able to capitalize and close the gap to 14-7 at halftime. New York's defense settled in and stymied the Detroit offense in much of the second quarter. The Lions managed just 15 rushing yards on 13 carries, as the Giants front consistently bested the Detroit offensive line. 

It was an uncomfortable lead for Detroit. After all, these Lions held fourth-quarter leads in each of their final seven losses a year ago. 

"

With Lions games, there's always that halftime feeling that they should be up 21, yet it's a one-score game.

— Robert Klemko (@RobertKlemko) September 9, 2014"

Once again, the defense stepped up to help carry the straggling offense. Detroit needed a big play, and it got one on New York's first possession of the third quarter.

"

WOW! An acrobatic Interception by Lions Deandre Levy early in the 3rd Qtr sets up @Lions inside #NYG territory... Pending review

— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) September 9, 2014"

The Lions parlayed that into a Nate Freese field goal, and from there the rout was on. The defense forced a quick three-and-out, followed by a long drive culminating in another successful attempt by Freese. 

Glover Quin then provided the kill shot:

"

Glover Quin picks off an Eli Manning duck. #Lions will start in the red zone again.

— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) September 9, 2014"

This time the Lions converted the takeaway into a touchdown, courtesy of a gutsy decision by Stafford. With nobody open, he took matters into his own hands...uh, legs.

"

Nobody open? No problem. Stafford shows off the wheels and jukes in for a 5-yd rushing TD! #OnePride #Lions lead 27-7. #NYGvsDET

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 9, 2014"

Stafford had himself an outstanding game. Even when the offense wasn't moving the ball, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft demonstrated improved poise and decision-making. He avoided the dreadful mistakes that have pockmarked his career.

"

From a decision-making standpoint, this might be one of the best games of Matthew Stafford's NFL career.

— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurke_SI) September 9, 2014"

New York summoned up one last gasp of life with an impressive drive, going 80 yards on 14 plays and cutting the lead to 27-14. 

"

The #Giants had 93 yards of total offense before that scoring drive, had 80 yards on 14 plays there #Lions

— Denny Kapp (@DennyKapp) September 9, 2014"

Lions fans can be forgiven for feeling nervous at that point. However, Stafford engineered a 12-play, 80-yard scoring drive to ice the game. The rushing attack finally found some footing against an exhausted New York defense. 

Detroit opens 1-0, extending one of the more improbable streaks in the NFL right now.

"

Lions: won 4 straight season openers (only Texans have longer active streak)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 9, 2014"

This is a very good sign. How important is it to win the opener?

"

Lions are 1-0, Giants are 0-1. What does a season-opening win mean to playoff hopes? @CoorsLight #ColdHardFact pic.twitter.com/T9Ec1jiM2c

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 9, 2014"

Of course, the Lions have turned that 1-0 mark into a playoff berth just once in the past three years. The law of averages dictates they make it 2-of-4 with this opening-night victory. 

Looking ahead, Detroit travels to Charlotte for a date with the 1-0 Panthers next Sunday. Carolina won impressively in Tampa Bay behind backup quarterback Derek Anderson. 

They will do so without at least one regular, as nickelback Bill Bentley appeared to suffer a serious knee injury. Starting right tackle LaAdrian Waddle also left the game and did not return, injuring his calf on Detroit's first touchdown. 

Coach Jim Caldwell addressed those in his relatively brief postgame press conference.

"

Caldwell said Waddle suffered a calf sprain, on if Bentley tore his ACL "that hasn't been confirmed yet"

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 9, 2014"

Bentley's replacement in this game, fourth-round rookie Nevin Lawson, played reasonably well. He had some issues locating the football but didn't get burned. Caldwell opined on him after the game,

"

Jim Caldwell on rookie Nevin Lawson: he played like a young fellow, he'll play better.

— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) September 9, 2014"

Lawson himself seemed pretty confident. He noted he gets quite the education in practice every day,

"

Nevin Lawson said he was eager to play and going against Calvin and Tate in practice helped him prepare for Victor Cruz.

— Carlos Monarrez (@cmonarrez) September 9, 2014"

Expect the Lions to bring in a cavalcade of veteran free-agent corners to try to spackle the hurting secondary. Hopefully starting safety James Ihedigbo can return after being inactive for the Giants game. 

All in all, this was an important and exciting win for the Lions.