4 keys for Detroit Lions to bust slump against lowly Giants

Joseph Fauria could play a bigger role Sunday against the Giants with Brandon Pettigrew out with an ankle injury. (Mike Mulholland |

ALLEN PARK -- The Lions haven't beaten the New York Giants in Detroit since 1983.

They're 3-8 against the Giants since that day, with each win coming in New York.

But now they need a win more than ever, considering a loss would eliminate them from the playoffs. Here are four keys for getting it:

FIRST DOWN: Would the real Matthew Stafford please stand up?
Eli Manning has been panned this season for his sky-high turnover rate, and rightly so. He has 25 picks, more than any QB. He had five just last week in a shutout loss against Seattle. Awful stuff.

But in the past five weeks, Matthew Stafford has been every bit as bad. He has 10 picks in that span -- same as Manning -- and two lost fumbles.

Detroit has spun its collapse as a multi-variable thing, and that much is true. But it's also true there is no greater variable than Stafford for the Lions' latest skid.

SECOND DOWN: Generate turnovers
So much attention has been paid to the Lions' turnover issues, and rightly so. They have 31, which is more than everyone except ... the Giants.

But the Lions haven't generated many turnovers themselves, either. They have just 18 takeaways, second fewest in the NFC. That's inexcusable, especially given linebacker DeAndre Levy leads the NFL with six picks.

New York kills itself with turnovers, and it would behoove Detroit to take advantage. Or risk playing a close game, with Manning facing off against the Lions' secondary.

That's an unenviable matchup for Detroit.

That's why this New York team has been so bad, and Detroit needs to capitalize.

THIRD DOWN: Fauria steps into spotlight
Tight end Brandon Pettigrew has played good football this season, both as a blocker and a pass-catcher. There's no one on Detroit's roster who can replicate that skill set, but Joseph Fauria might have little choice but to try.

Pettigrew is battling an ankle injury and did not practice this week. Players rarely are cleared to play for Jim Schwartz after missing Wednesday, Thursday and Friday practices.

Fauria is the next tight end on the roster. He should be fine in the passing game, where he's generated excitement this year with seven touchdown catches -- second on the team -- but he's a limited blocker.

It's possible Detroit will use reserve offensive lineman Dylan Gandy as a blocker, but Fauria will receive the bulk of the snaps if Pettigrew can't go and will need to step up his game.

FOURTH DOWN: Keep it together
Detroit's chemistry has seemed to be a little off, as its season spirals down the tubes, and players have shown some signs of frustration.

That includes multiple players showing poor body language after Stafford threw his final pick against Baltimore, sealing the team's fate.

Stafford has been bad, certainly, but the Lions still can salvage their season. They're a long shot, absolutely, and would need to get some luck to make the postseason.

But they can position themselves for some luck with a win, and must work to tune out everything else, including Stafford's turnover binge, the growing boos at Ford Field and Jim Schwartz's job status.