EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn put it best earlier in the week, calling belief a powerful drug.
After a dreadful start to the season, the Lions' surging confidence was evident Sunday at MetLife Stadium as they dismantled the New York Giants, 31-18, earning a third consecutive win for the first time in five years, to go with back-to-back victories on the road after snapping a 13-game winless streak away from Ford Field a week earlier.
In blustery conditions, the Lions rode a wave of three consecutive touchdown drives between the second and third quarters. Defensively, the Lions shut down running back Saquon Barkley, who entered the day as the NFL's leading rusher. Swarmed every time he touched the ball, he finished with a season-low 22 yards on 15 carries.