The 2014 NFL regular season is finally here.
After a long offseason, the Detroit Lions are finally ready to hit the field for a game that actually counts for something. They will kick off the season at home on tonight Football against the New York Giants, and they will try to get this year's campaign started on a positive note with the nation watching.
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Lions facts
Matthew Stafford has thrown for more than 4,500 yards in each of the past three seasons. He had 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions last season
Reggie Bush and Joique Bell began sharing time last season at running back, which is expected to continue this season. Bell had 650 yards and eight touchdowns, while Bush had 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns.
Detroit finished sixth in yards per game (392.1) and its passing game was third in the league, with 280.1.
The Lions defense was 13th in the NFL in yards allowed per game (346.6). They also gave up the 12th-fewest points (23.3)
The Lions signed former Seattle Seahawks receiver Golden Tate and drafted UNC tight end Eric Ebron with their first-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft.
Calvin Johnson followed up his 122-catch, 1,964-yard, five-touchdown 2012 season with 84 catches for 1,492 and 12 touchdowns in 14 games last year.
Nick Fairley had 35 tackles and six sacks, while Ndamukong Suh had 49 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
Suh and the Lions weren't able to work out an extension over the offseason, though he showed up to camp on time.
The Lions have won one playoff game the last 55 years.
Ziggy Ansah will be make his season debut on time after being activated off the PUP list on Aug. 12.
Giants facts
The Giants and Lions have met four times in the last 10 seasons. New York has won the past three games.
In their past 10 season-openers, the Giants have gone 4-6. They lost to the Cowboys in Week 1 last year en route to an 0-6 start.
Eli Manning's 69.4 passer rating last season was a career-low. Manning also threw the fewest touchdowns (18) and most interceptions (27) of his career.
Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks signed with the Colts in the offseason.
The Giants selected LSU receiver Odell Beckham Jr. with the No. 12 pick in the draft. Beckham has battled a hamstring injury during training camp.
Victor Cruz missed out on his third straight 1,000-yard season by two yards. His four touchdowns and 73 receptions were his lowest since 2010, when Cruz only played in three games.
The Giants defense ranked 17th in the NFL allowing 23.9 points per game. Their defense also held opponents to the seventh-fewest yards per game, 332.2.
The offense was 28th in the league in yards per game and averaged 18.4 points.
Antrel Rolle had career-highs with 98 tackles and six interceptions in 2013. He made his third Pro Bowl appearance.
Tom Coughlin enters his 11th season as Giants coach with a 90-70 record and two Super Bowl victories.
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INJURY REPORT
Safety James Ihedigbo, the Lions' biggest defensive addition, is likely out with knee and neck injuries, bad news for an undwerwhelming secondary. Isa Abdul-Quddus, a former Saint, would replace him and undrafted rookie Jerome Couplin would be forced into action. Backup safety Don Carey is also out. To no one's surprise, the Giants will be without rookie WR Odell Backham Jr. with his chronic hamstring issues, DT Markus Kuhn with a shoulder and OL James Brewer with a back. Jerrel Jernigan will continue to line up as the outside receiver. LB Jon Beason (foot), who only returned this week, will start but may need more spelling than usual.
KEY MATCHUP
WR Calvin Johnson vs. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Giants nickel back Walter Thurmond, full of ex-Seahawk bravado, says Megatron "has some weaknesses." It's maybe not such a good idea to antagonize a prime time performer, especially since Thurmond will see some of Johnson when he lines up in the slot. Still, in DR-C and Prince Amukamara, the Giants feel they have one of the best CB tandems in the league. Johnson promises to line up across the formation and the Giants don't plan to shadow him. At 6-2, Rodgers-Cromartie has a fighting chance against him in the air.
INTANGIBLES
So much is being made about the woes of the first team offense. It can't be as bad as it was in the pre-season but a lot depends on whether these guys believe it. Will Tom Coughlin and Ben McAdoo take chances early to get some confidence going? They need something. The Lions, with a wealth of offensive weapons and Jim Caldwell as the new boss, have been chirping about being Super Bowl contenders. But let's face it. They're the Lions. Making it to the playoffs is cause for mass celebration. Give them an edge for starting at home where the track is fast and the noise could be a factor for the Giants' makeshift line.
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