The New York Giants kicked away their opportunity at a comeback win over the Detroit Lions on the road Sunday afternoon.
Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones threw a 4-yard TD pass to Saquan Barkley and an extra point pulled them within five points late in the game. But the ensuing onside kick went out of bounds, sealing Detroit’s victory, 31-26.
Matthew Stafford threw two of his three touchdown passes to Kenny Golladay. The Lions (3-3-1) took a two-TD lead in the first quarter and Stafford’s 41-yard flea flicker to Golladay early in the fourth put them ahead by 12 points.
Big Blue (2-6) has lost four games in a row before the end of October for the second-straight season.
Jones had career highs with 28 completions, 41 attempts, four TD passes and fell just short of another mark with 311 yards passing. He fumbled the ball attempting a pass that former Giants linebacker Devon Kennard recovered and returned 13 yards for a TD in the first quarter.
Jones provided a promising performance after throwing only TD pass in each of his last four games and seven interceptions during that span. He threw 22- and 28-yard TD passes to rookie receiver Darius Slayton, who pulled the Giants within a point late in the first half only to have Aldrick Rosas miss his first extra point of the season.
New York hurt its chances in the first half with flags, including one questionable penalty for running into the kicker to extend the Lions’ drive late in the first half that ended with Matt Prater’s 52-yard field goal to give them a 17-13 lead.
Stafford finished 25 of 32 for 342 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.
He threw a 49-yard TD pass to Marvin Hall late in the first quarter and connected with Golladay for scores in the second half.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Giants next week, as they host the division-leading Dallas Cowboys for Monday Night Football, Nov. 4.
— Larry Lage
