Giants, Lions meet with 3-game losing streaks

DETROIT >> The Detroit Lions have taken a lot of hits lately.

Detroit (2-3-1) has dropped three straight games and its latest setback included running back Kerryon Johnson going down with a knee injury that put him on injured reserve.

Days later, starting safety and team captain Quandre Diggs was traded to Seattle in a move no one outside of the front offices of the teams involved saw coming.

“We have to focus on the Giants and move forward,” receiver Marvin Jones said.

The New York Giants (2-5) don’t have any sympathy.

New York has also lost three straight, and the hope rookie quarterback Daniel Jones generated with two touchdown passes in his first start has been dashed by his turnover woes.

“There is certainly a sense of urgency in the building, amongst the players, that we need to get a win,” Jones said.

WELCOME BACK

Giants receiver Golden Tate was dealt by Detroit last season to Philadelphia. The move seemed to stunt the team’s chances to have a successful season in coach Matt Patricia’s first year, taking away

Matthew Stafford’s slot receiver and one of the leaders in the locker room.

Now, Tate is back to face the franchise he signed with after helping Seattle win a Super Bowl. He was one of Detroit’s top players and most popular people for four-plus seasons.

“I’m sure he’ll be juiced up,” Lions safety Tavon Wilson said. “We’ll be juiced up, too.”

Tate has become Jones’ go-to guy since Sterling Shepard was sidelined with his second concussion of the season. Tate had six catches in each of the past

two games for 182 yards, including a 64-yard scoring play against Minnesota.

GENEROUS JONES

Jones has gotten into a habit of not protecting the ball. He has turned it over 12 times, with 11 turnovers coming after he replaced Eli Manning as the starter in Week 3.

“It’s part of what a young quarterback goes through,” Giants coach Pat Shurmur said. “As time goes on, that gets better. But obviously, we want it to get better fast.”

The three-game losing streak has seen the No. 6 overall pick in the draft throw five of his seven interceptions and lose two fumbles. Jones has lost five fumbles, continuing a problem

he had in the preseason.

“I think it’s tough to win when you’re turning the ball over that much,” Jones said. “I’ve got to do a better job with that. Decisionmaking, securing the ball in the pocket, and securing the ball when I’m out of the pocket — all of that stuff is really important.”

STEPPING UP

Lions rookie running back Ty Johnson will likely start in place of Kerryon Johnson and he might flourish. The Giants allowed Chase Edmonds to run for 126 yards in last week’s loss to Arizona after he averaged just 17 yards rushing over the first 22 games of his career.