Lions at Giants
Matthew Stafford isn't going to let a dislocated digit prevent him from helping the Detroit Lions show they're No. 1 in the NFC North. With glove expected in tow, Stafford and the surging Lions could wrap up the division title with a road win against the New York Giants on Sunday and a Green Bay loss to Chicago.
Although Stafford injured his right middle finger early in Sunday's 20-17 victory over the Bears, his legs worked just fine as the quarterback ran 7 yards for a score late in the fourth quarter to give Detroit its fifth straight victory. "It's never fun when it's on your throwing hand but I'll figure it out and we'll go from there," Stafford said. "(The glove) is not really for my state of mind, it's for what's going to be functional. So whatever's most functional, with what I can perform the best with, that's what I'll go with." New York's state of mind has been fabulous with seven wins in its last eight outings, highlighted by capturing a season sweep of NFC East-leading Dallas in a 10-7 victory on Sunday night. Electric wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. improved the Giants' postseason position after racing 61 yards for his team-leading ninth touchdown of the season and sixth in his past five home games.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Giants -4. O/U: 41
ABOUT THE LIONS (9-4): Cornerback Darius Slay routinely covers the opponent's top wide receiver without much fanfare -- so little in fact that the 25-year-old felt he was snubbed from last season's Pro Bowl. "As long as my teammates really see me as a Pro Bowl player, I ain't really worried because I feel it's a politic thing anyway," Slay said. "... I'd rather just get the All-Pro status and don't go Pro Bowl." Detroit's running game could be stuck in neutral again with Theo Riddick (wrist, ankle) sitting out practice this week and backup Zach Zenner in the league's concussion protocol. Tight end Eric Ebron, who is a native of Newark, N.J., has just 70 yards receiving over his last three games after reaching that mark in each of his previous three contests.
ABOUT THE GIANTS (9-4): Eli Manning has failed to eclipse 200 passing yards in each of his last three games and tossed three interceptions in that stretch, causing the two-time Super Bowl MVP to cast a critical eye on his own performance. "I've got to play better," Manning said. "Got to find completions, got to protect the football better. That's what's got to happen in these types of games. You get into December, you've got to protect the football. That's the most important thing right now." A 31st-ranked running game hasn't helped matters, with Rashad Jennings (team-leading 459 yards) limited to just 64 yards in his last two contests heading into a tilt with the 11th-ranked Lions' rush defense (97.7).
EXTRA POINTS
1. New York WR Sterling Shepard has reeled in a touchdown reception in four of his last five games and his six on the season ties him for second-best in the NFL among rookies.
2. Detroit DE Kerry Hyder has collected six of his team-leading eight sacks in his last six games on the road.
3. Giants DE Olivier Vernon has recorded seven sacks in his last six contests.