Monday Night Football 9-18-2017
Monday Night Football is different than football on any other night. The players are more rested and prepared due to the extra day of rest, resulting in a sharper game. This polished product is often lacking points due to defensive execution. Since 2011, MNF has had only 2 games in which each team scored 30 points. In the same time span, Sunday Night Football has had 12 games in which its competitors both scored 30 points each. While this may be more disheartening for the viewers, Monday Night Football is a showcase of greatness. Offenses and defenses are rested and prepared and both execute exquisitely.
This Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, the Detroit Lions face the New York Giants. These two teams are polar opposites going into the second week of the season.
The Lions are 1-0. Detroit is fresh off of a 35-23 victory against the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona has a staunch passing defense, so it was encouraging to see pass-centric Detroit handle its opposition so well. Their 20-point 4th quarter propelled them to a win. The Lions entered the game as underdogs, but came away with a crucial season-opening victory.
The Giants are 0-1. New York was humiliated by the Dallas Cowboys last week on Sunday Night Football scoring only 3 points to the Cowboys' 19. The Giants were without their best wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr. and it showed. It was a tough loss to stomach after seemingly having Dallas's number last season, winning both of their meetings.
Despite being trounced in Week 1, the Giants open up as 3 point favorites over Detroit. Maybe it's having Beckham back, perhaps it's due to beating the Lions 10 months ago, or it could even be because they've got their backs against the wall, but regardless, the Giants are favored in Monday night's game.
Let's get to the good stuff--the matchups.
O-Line vs D-Line -- The Giants defensive line has a large advantage over the Lions offensive line. Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon are one of the NFL's best d-line duos, they should eat up the Lions offensive line. The Lions suffered a painful setback when their starting left tackle Taylor Decker tore the labrum in his right shoulder in June. Despite the loss of Decker, the Lions offensive line was actually very effective last week against the Arizona Cardinals defense. They allowed only 1 sack to Arizona, who was 1st in the NFL in sacks last season. An elite defensive line with a longstanding pedigree against a newly formidable offensive line is a matchup that could decide the game. 2 players: Rick Wagner (LT-Detroit) vs Jason Pierre-Paul (DE-New York Giants)
On the opposite side of the ball, the Lions defensive line is coming off of one sack performance. Offensive line play for the Giants has been notoriously bad. It will be interesting to see how the front 7 for the Lions attack the atrocious offensive line of the Giants. 2 players: Ezekiel Ansah (DE-Detroit) vs Ereck Flowers (LT-New York Giants)
Receiver vs Corner -- Monday night features the season debut of arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, Odell Beckham Jr. Beckham Jr. was inactive in Week 1 due to a high ankle sprain, but has been given the green light to play against the Lions. Not only is Beckham a dangerous weapon, but his teammates are as well. Sterling Shepard and Brandon Marshall are poised to have increased totals because Beckham Jr. takes so much of the defense's focus. The Lions are looking ill-prepared for the tall task. In their Week 1 matchup, the Lions allowed 268 passing yards with 7 different receivers catching the ball. The Lions secondary could be in for a long Monday night if they allow a similar performance. 2 players: Odell Beckham Jr. (WR-New York Giants) vs Darius Slay (CB-Detroit)
The Lions have their own set of dangerous receiving targets. Golden Tate is their #1 receiver and had a big opening week with 10 catches for 107 yards. A surprise threat emerged in rookie Kenny Golladay. Third round pick Golladay had two touchdowns in Week 1. The Giants secondary is without its best player, Janoris Jenkins. He is dealing with hand and ankle injuries and has been declared inactive for this week's game. Eli Apple and Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie each move up on the depth chart to replace him. This could spell trouble for the Giants. 2 players: Golden Tate (WR-Detroit) vs Eli Apple (CB-New York Giants)
With these matchups outlined, I believe that the Giants will come out on top this week. They are 0-1 and need to get to .500 to prevent their season from falling apart. They were embarrassed on national TV which is often a big motivator in getting a team to play well the following week. Even though they're missing their top corner, they get Beckham Jr. back. Beckham Jr. is a game changer and can turn a regular catch into a big play. Even if the Giants offensive line gets dominated, its quarterback, Eli Manning, will be able to quickly throw to Beckham Jr. Their defense may be their downfall, but I think that they will be able to hold the Lions offense back just enough to win.
Prediction: Giants 24 Lions 21
