Giants vs. Lions Preseason Week 1: Live In-Game Updates

On Thursday night, the New York Giants will host the Detroit Lions in their preseason opener.

While New York isn’t expected to let their starters see the spotlight just yet – head coach Brian Daboll’s history says as much – there are still plenty of stories to look out for.

Perhaps most notable will be the game’s intensity. Two joint practices with Detroit early in the week led to chaos, with fights defining both days and involving some of the Giants’ most important players like quarterback Daniel Jones and receiver Malik Nabers. Might the game take a similar shape in the starters’ absence?

Meanwhile, the backups will take center stage as they look to entrench themselves into starting and prioritized part-time roles.

Will running back Eric Gray hold off rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr.? Will the offensive line depth look better than it had in the regular season last year, when the offense fell apart?

This will also be the first opportunity for New York’s rookies to make an impression in game settings. Nabers may not go, but second-round safety Tyler Nubin and all three Day 3 selections – Tracy, tight end Theo Johnson, and linebacker Darius Muasau – are expected to go.

If nothing else, fans can rejoice in the fact that the Giants are one step closer to meaningful football.

Related: Giants Insider Praises 'Absurd' Nabers After Joint Practice

WHAT: New York Giants (0-0) vs. Detroit Lions (0-0)

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 8, 7 p.m. ET

WHERE: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey (82,500)

TELEVISION: FOX5 NY

RADIO: WFAN 101.9FM

SPREAD: Giants -3.5

TOTAL: 35

MONEYLINE: Giants -180, Lions +150

Live updates will appear after kickoff.

FIRST QUARTER

Giants First Drive: New York's first drive was uneventful. Nabers was a surprise start, but wasn't targeted. After a scramble from quarterback Drew Lock, an incompletion to Isaiah McKenzie, and a short drag to Jalin Hyatt, the Giants punted.

The punt was fumbled, but Detroit recovered and after a penalty will take over at its own nine-yard line.

Lions First Drive: The Giants starting secondary took the field for the first defensive drive, minus corner Cor'Dale Flott, who's dealing with a quad injury. A sack from linebacker Dyontae Johnson preceded a third-down tackle from Deonte Banks and a Lions punt.

Giants Second Drive: Tracy took the first carry of the drive for six yards. After another short run, Lock was sacked on third down. Left tackle Joshua Ezeudu gave up the drive-ending sack.

Lions Second Drive: Second-round safety Tyler Nubin introduce himself with a tackle on the first play of the drive. Nubin then made a nice play coming down to play the run and helping stop a third-and-short conversion attempt.

Giants Third Drive: Ezeudu finished well on first down to give Lock time to scramble on first down. Tight end Daniel Bellinger saw his first catch of the game soon after when Lock was forced out of structure. A few plays later, on third-and-nine, Lock was intercepted over the middle of the field.

Lions Third Drive: Detroit couldn't muster much on offense, but took the lead on a 53-yard field goal form kicker Jake Bates.

The Giants trail 3-0 with 3:21 remaining in the first quarter.

Giants Fourth Drive: Lock found veteran receiver Allen Robinson on the left sideline for first down on the drive's opening play. On the next play, Tracy broke off a decent gain, getting into the second level for 12 yards. For those looking for Nabers' first catch, they'll probably have to wait for next week, as New York's depth receivers have rotated in. Three consecutive Lock throws went incomplete, but he appears to be hurt, wincing and holding his side.

DeVito came into to relieve him on fourth-and-10 but took a (probably intentional) delay of game before a punt.

Lions Fourth Drive: Muasau opened the drive with a tackle, and on second down, nickel corner and third-round rookie Dru Phillips made a nice tackle for loss, flying into the backfield. Detroit would then punt.

The Giants trail 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Giants Fifth Drive: DeVito was sacked on first down and saw his second-down pass tipped. He checked the ball down to Gray on third down before a punt to the 17-yard line.

Lions Fifth Drive: New York's defense was physical and almost came away with an interception before forcing another punt, which was briefly muffed by McKenzie, although he recovered it deep in Giants territory.

Giants Sixth Drive: A miscommunication between DeVito and his second-down target led to thrid-and-long, where he hit Gray on a wheel route for a well-placed completion. On first down, tight end Tyree Jackson caught his first catch of the night.

On second-and-10, Gray broke off the first big gain of the night for New York, taking a draw play for a 48-yard touchdown.

The Giants lead 7-3 with 9:12 remaining in the second quarter.