Calvin Johnson: “Megatron” Dominates the New York Giants on Monday Night

It is hard to have a nickname like “Megatron” and not be a dominant force. Calvin Johnson stayed true to his moniker by opening up with a dominant performance against the New York Giants in “Gotham”.

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“Gotham” is a nickname for a city that is frequently associated with superheroes and feats of inhuman strength, so it is only fitting that in Detroit’s 35-14 victory over the New York Giants, Calvin Johnson played accordingly.

The Giants defense could not contain Johnson who caught seven passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 23.4 yards per catch and demoralized the Giants early.

Quarterback, Matthew Stafford, spread the ball around nicely completing passes to six different receivers throwing 22 of 32 for 346 yards with those two touchdown passes to Johnson. Stafford also rushed for a TD on a five yard scamper.

Detroit’s defense was ridiculous on Monday night, holding the Giants to 194 total yards offensively, while picking off Eli Manning twice as well as causing a fumble.

The Giants could not sustain any offense whatsoever going 3 of 13 on third down conversions.

Detroit has the pieces to have a big year this season. Defensively, they can wreak havoc with the pressure they can provide with Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, and Ezekiel Ansah, and offensively they have one of the most potent aerial attacks in the NFL.

The Detroit Lions, on paper, when you compare them to the rest of the teams in the NFC Central, are formidable and honestly have the least holes in their team compared to Chicago, Green Bay, and Minnesota.

Football critics are going to say that there is no way that Detroit can contend in the NFC and be a legitimate threat–that is false.

Sep 8, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell during the first quarter against the New York Giants at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit has the personnel on defense and a potent enough offense to beat anyone in the NFC. The problem with Detroit has always been Detroit.

If the Lions can play disciplined football and cut down on the mistakes that have plagued them in past seasons, they can easily be one of the top four or five teams in the NFC and threaten to get to the NFC Championship.

Jim Caldwell is going to bring discipline to Detroit and be the calming influence that Jim Schwartz could not be.

Yeah true, this is the New York Giants and Tom Coughlin has stayed well passed his welcome at this point, but that does not change the fact that Detroit went out on the Monday Night Football stage and made a statement on the road.

The Lions have the most powerful weapon in football and a coach that will get the best out of that weapon. Their defense is finally going to have the discipline which has been sorely lacking for the past few seasons.

Detroit is a legitimate threat. Don’t sleep on the power of “Megatron” and the Lions.