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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, August 8, 2008

Giants fall to Lions in first game since Super Bowl

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Detroit Lions running back Brian Calhoun is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas in the second half.

DUANE BURLESON | Associated Press

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DETROIT — Eli Manning and the Super Bowl champion New York Giants finally stumbled on the road. Only this time, it didn't really matter.

Manning, the Super Bowl MVP, struggled on his only two series in the preseason opener and the Giants lost to the Detroit Lions 13-10 last night. New York won its final 11 games away from Giants Stadium last season, including all four in the playoffs en route to the title.

Manning completed two of his six passes for 19 yards. He was 0 for 3 on New York's first possession, including two passes that were knocked down by Lions linemen.

"Obviously, we've got some work to do, but that's what the preseason is for," said Manning, who was missing key receivers David Tyree (knee) and Plaxico Burress (ankle) due to injury. "It was good to go up against a different defense and it was good to see the receivers in live action."

Eddie Johnson's 31-yard field goal with 2:47 to play gave Detroit the win.

"It's too bad. It would have been nice for us to finish off the game," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "But the idea is to improve from the first preseason game to the second. We've got a lot to work on."

In his two drives, Lions quarterback Jon Kitna went 6 for 7 for 106 yards and a 20-yard touchdown pass to Roy Wil-liams.

"That's been the emphasis all offseason," he said. "When we have good protection, the turnovers are going to go down. When you're not under duress, you have the ability to make better decisions."

Lions defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis, a University of Hawai'i alum, made one tackle, and Lions rookie linebacker Jordon Dizon, a Waimea alum, had two tackles.

JETS 24, BROWNS 20

Brett Favre's big-play ability rubbed off on the New York Jets, who scored three long touchdowns in a win over host Cleveland. Dwight Lowery returned a punt 62 yards to score with 10:02 left to cap New York's comeback from a 10-point deficit. Favre, the Pro Bowl quarterback acquired late Wednesday night from the Green Bay Packers, joined his club an hour before kickoff and watched one of his former teammates have a big night for his new team. David Clowney, picked up on waivers by the Jets from the Packers last October, caught touchdown passes of 71 and 70 yards from Brett Ratliff.

CHIEFS 24, BEARS 20

Back from a broken foot, Larry Johnson ran for a 5-yard touchdown on the opening drive, Brodie Croyle passed for 82 yards over two possessions, and Tyler Thigpen threw the winning 27-yard pass to Bobby Sippio with 1:08 left in the game as Kansas City beat host Chicago Bears in the preseason opener. Chicago safety Leonard Peters, a UH alum, had one tackle for Chicago.

RAVENS 16, PATRIOTS 15

Third-round choice Kevin O'Connell led the Patriots to their only touchdown on a 31-yard march capped by Le'Ron McClain 1-yard run in the second quarter and Baltimore beat host New England in the first game for Ravens' head coach John Harbaugh. LaMont Jordan, fighting for a job behind Patriots starter Laurence Maroney, ran for 76 yards and scored on a 1-yard run just 13 days after being released by Oakland.

SAINTS 24, CARDINALS 10

Drew Brees was 6 for 7 for 40 yards and tossed a 7-yard TD to David Patten in his lone series in short-handed New Orleans' preseason victory over host Arizona. Matt Leinart, the third-year Arizona quarterback, completed eight of nine passes for 91 yards in the first two series of the game. Arizona safety Aaron Francisco, a Kahuku alum, had a team-high five tackles.