The Detroit Lions faced a disappointing 14-3 loss against the New York Giants in their preseason opener, with both teams opting to rest their starters. Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito led the team to two first-half touchdowns, with Eric Gray scoring both on runs of 48 and 1 yard. Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld struggled, completing only 7 of 15 passes for 40 yards and throwing an interception, while Hendon Hooker made a brief appearance in the second half but exited with a concussion. The Lions' offense failed to generate momentum, only scoring a field goal set up by a 20-yard interception return from Brandon Joseph. The game followed a series of heated joint practices between the teams that resulted in each being fined $200,000 for excessive fighting. Overall, the Lions' preseason efforts highlighted areas for improvement, particularly on offense.