- Preseason Week 1 in East Rutherford
In heartbreak fashion, the Detroit Lions fall to the New York football Giants, 14-3 in the preseason Game 1 opener. Detroit’s offense could not get going under Nate Sudfeld, Hendon Hooker did better, but the offense only managed a Jake Bates 53-yard FG. Still, there’s hope.
It is good to have football back and to see the Detroit Lions in their new retro-reminiscent uniforms. It was fun to watch the broadcast with Jason Ross Jr., Golden Tate, and Danny Roger. It’s amicable to get excited about football returning just before realizing the preseason is boring. The real game is on September 8.
Detroit Lions competition for backup QB
The Giants won 14-3. Some starters for the Giants played the first half against Sudfeld while pouring rain.
While Hendon Hooker brought a little juice in the second half, he had a couple of runs where he took punishment. He’s a rookie and he’s playing his first NFL exhibition game but that has got to be something that he works on.
He averaged four or better yards a throw. Everything was short with both quarterbacks but it’s clear he can move and run. There’s some excitement with Hooker! He’s got the legs, he’s got a nice feel. He’s a better backup than Nate Sudfeld. Sudfeld played better in practice than Hooker due to the experience factor. We’ll know in the weeks to come if Hooker is ready to be a backup to Jared Goff this season.
Hendon Hooker has a concussion and should come as no surprise because he never slides. He likes to lower his shoulder like Anthony Richardson does of the Indianapolis Colts. Hooker did stay in the game but was taken out. Dan Campbell confirmed after the game that Hooker does have a concussion; along with Antoine Green, wide receiver.
Lions highlighted moments
Ben Johnson – a brilliant offensive mind and is a great offensive coordinator, wasn’t going to show a whole lot of gadget plays and different looks; it was a vanilla offense Thursday night.
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Aug 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) can not catch a pass as New York Giants cornerback Breon Borders (26) defends during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The hometown kid -, Donovan Peoples-Jones, had a 26-yard grab in the fourth quarter and the longest catch of the night. Peoples-Jones was targeted in the back corner of the end zone with a graceful touch by backup quarterback Hendon Hooker.
Throughout camp, the fifth receiver spot has centered around Daurice Fountain, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Kaden Davis. Davis, Maurice Alexander, Jalon Calhoun, and Tom Kennedy all had a reception.
The UFL graduate Jake Bates drilled a 53-yard field goal in the rain with plenty to spare in a wind tunnel in East Rutherford. This performance should give Bates a boost of confidence going into next week and the second preseason game in Kansas City. The Lions think Bates is promising and told him they were going to work with the ex-UFL star kicker and develop him.
Player of the game Isaiah Williams looked good! The undrafted rookie free agent out of Illinois. Dan Campbell pointed that out after the game. Williams with just four catches, 35 yards – the Lions averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry (3.9) on 30 carries for 118 yards.
The Lions will be back at it in Preseason Week 2. Detroit fans love the Detroit Lions, and the Lions are King in the town. Tune in next Saturday (the 17th) in Kansas City at 4:00 P.M. EDT.
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