The Detroit Lions prevailed over the visiting New York Giants with an epic comeback win in overtime. The Lions escaped with a 34-27 win in a game that featured over 1,000 combined yards of offense, a game in which Detroit never led in regulation time.
Never apologize for a win, but this isn't exactly a victory to celebrate for the Lions, either. The Giants entered the game 2-9, losers of five in a row and with an interim coach at the helm, but they were the better team for the bulk of the afternoon in Detroit. It took a monster game from Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs to salvage a win in a matchup in which the Lions were double-digit favorites.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere's what we know in the aftermath of the Lions' Week 12 win, from stats, stars, injuries and more.
It was over when...
Aidan Hutchinson recorded Detroit's only sack of the afternoon, bringing down Jameis Winston on fourth down to end overtime. That came after Jahmyr Gibbs gave the Lions their first lead of the game on the very first play of overtime with a 69-yard sprint right up the middle and into the end zone.
It could have been over with a horrible call on a swing pass from Jared Goff to Jahmyr Gibbs with under a minute to play that lost yards, forcing Lions kicker Jake Bates to make a 59-yard field goal to tie the game. Bates' kick just squeezed inside the right upright.
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Lions vs Giants Week 12 box scores (NFLGSIS)
Lions vs Giants Week 12 box scores (NFLGSIS)
Lions vs Giants Week 12 box scores (NFLGSIS)Top Lions highlight
Hard to top Jahmyr Gibbs' game-winner:
3 Lions stars of the game
1st star - Jahmyr Gibbs: 15 carries for 219 yards and two TDs, plus 11 catches for 45 yards and another TD
Jahmyr Gibbs Week 12 stats2nd star - Amon-Ra St. Brown: 9 catches for 149 yards and a touchdown
3rd star - Aidan Hutchinson: 1 sack, 2 TFLs, 6 QB hits, 6 tackles
Honorable mention: Jack Campbell (11 tackles), Jake Bates (2-for-2 FG, each in the final minute of a half), Jack Fox (4 punts downed inside the 20)
Key points
--The Giants scored on their opening drive for the sixth time this season. That's the most in team history, even though it's just Week 12.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement--The Giants scored on two gadget plays that involved multiple passes on the same play. Jameis Winston's TD reception in the fourth quarter was the first of his career, and it's a play Lions LB Derrick Barnes will not want to relive in the film room.
--Kalif Raymond exited the game in the third quarter after making a reception. Jacob Saylors filled in for Raymond on return specialist duty.
--Thomas Harper's diving INT was Detroit's first takeaway in over two full games and just the second takeaway since the team returned from the bye in Week 8.
--Jameson Williams did not have a catch in the game, including a fourth-quarter drop.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement--Aidan Hutchinson had Detroit's only sack and 6 of the 7 official QB hits in the game. Brian Branch--who had an otherwise terrible game--had the other.
--Branch could be facing another suspension for a blatant helmet-to-helmet hit in the first half
--Neither team gained a yard on punt returns in the game
--On the Jared Goff intentional grounding penalty ahead of the St. Brown touchdown, Isaac TeSlaa was tackled by two Giants as he went into his route.
--Goff's interception was not his fault. The ball bounced through St. Brown's hands and into Giants S Jevon Holland's lap.
--St. Brown caught his 500th career pass in the game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat's next for the Lions
The 7-4 Lions host the Green Bay Packers in the annual Thanksgiving Day matinee on Thursday. Green Bay beat Minnesota, 23-6, to improve to 7-3-1.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions vs Giants: Everything we know from Detroit's overtime win
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