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EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- After setting an NFL record with 24 consecutive road losses, the
Detroit Lions
are unbeaten on the road in 2004. They hope to put another in the win column Sunday when they visit the
New York Giants
.
The Lions opened the season with a win at Chicago to snap the streak. On October 10, they knocked the
Atlanta Falcons
from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 17-10 win.
However last week at home, the Lions were pounded by the
Green Bay Packers
, 38-10.
"We were very disappointed with our game against Green Bay," Lions coach Steve Mariucci said. "I was talking with the guys about contending for the division title and we did not play well against the Packers. Obviously, the Giants are playing very well and we're going to need to play another big road game."
The Giants haven't been home in nearly a month, last beating the
Cleveland Browns
here, 27-10 on September 26. After that, the Giants won at Green Bay and Dallas to match their win total all of last season.
It is quite a start for first-year coach Tom Coughlin, who has the Giants riding a four-game winning streak for the first time since 2000 when they reached the Super Bowl. The Giants last started 5-1 in 1993.
Perhaps the most important statistic for the Giants has been turnover ratio, an NFL-best plus-11. They have forced 15 turnovers.
Tiki Barber
has rushed for 100 or more yards four times in New York's five games.
Joey Harrington
completed just 12-of-23 passes for 101 yards with a touchdown and interception in the Lions' loss to Green Bay. But Harrington did not have rookie receiver
Roy Williams
, who suited up but did not play due to a sore ankle.
This game will have extra significance for linebacker
Barrett Green
, who signed with the Giants last March after spending the first four years of his career with the Lions.
Matchup:
Amani Toomer
lines up across right cornerback Dre' Bly.
Series: Detroit leads, 19-17-1, including winning the last meeting here, 31-21 in November 2000.
Next week: Detroit visits Dallas on October 31 NY Giants visit Minnesota on October 31
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