Giants at Lions: Jon Kitna Might Be Running for His Very Life

To get you ready for week 11, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is the New York Giants/Detroit Lions preview.

2007 Records:
New York Giants: 6-3 (2nd in NFC East)
Detroit Lions: 6-3 (2nd in NFC North)

Last Week:
Cowboys 31, Giants 20
Cardinals 31, Lions 21

Why We Care: NFL freaks everywhere are waiting for these two teams to collapse. The Giants started 6-2 last year before the wheels fell of on the season, and our very own Dan Benton sees it on the horizon again. Very few, meanwhile, see the Lions as a season-long threat in the NFC, and are expecting their glass slipper to shatter. Both are coming off of disappointing losses, and eyes are intently watching how they respond.

When the Giants have the ball: The Lions have the league's 30th-ranked pass defense, but the Giants aren't exactly moving the ball through the air at will on opponents. On top of that, the Lions were leading the league in interceptions until last Sunday, when the Chargers took advantage of Bizarro Peyton. They're currently second in the league in interceptions with 15, and Eli Manning has thrown at least one interception in eight of the Giants' nine games. On top of that, Plaxico Burress (the recipient of eight of Manning's 14 touchdown passes) is questionable for the game and says his ankle is turning into dust.

When the Lions have the ball: Can the Lions get their run game back on track after laying what amounted to actually less than a goose's egg against Arizona? Doubtful, with Kevin Jones still hurting and T.J. Duckett taking on a larger role in the offense against a defense allowing only 98.7 yards per game. Passing is going to be tough as well, though, the Giants are a top-10 defense all around except in points allowed, where their 21.1 ranks 18th. That disconnect is because of the turnovers by the Giants offense. If the Lions defense can make a couple of big plays, it'll benefit their offense greatly. What'll benefit greatly as well is if the Lions' offensive line, the worst at pass protection in the league, can keep the Giants' wolves at bay.

The Edge: Both teams have the stigma of past collapses hovering over them. Players in the locker room remember The Great Giants Revolts of '06 and the Lions' .... decades and decades of terribleness. Whichever team can show the character and poise to ignore that nagging dread will succeed. That comes down to the quarterbacks -- Manning has folded under pressure in the past but has taken positive steps this year, while Jon Kitna is beloved and respected for his play and leadership.