THE NFL 1996 : Mitchell, Lion Hopes Picked Apart by Giants

Led by a season-high five interceptions, the New York Giants ended Detroit’s 10-game home winning streak with a 35-7 victory over the Lions on Sunday at the Silverdome.

The Lions (4-4), coming off their bye week, scored on their first possession, but the Giants dominated the rest of the first half with 25 points.

“It really helped us that the defense forced all those turnovers, because that’s a team that can score a lot of points against anyone,” receiver Thomas Lewis said. “The defense was huge for us today.”

Detroit’s Scott Mitchell completed nine of 19 passes for 71 yards, with three interceptions and was benched in the second quarter for Don Majkowski, who threw two interceptions.

“I was disappointed and upset about it,” Mitchell said. “I’ve been in games before where I’ve thrown three interceptions and stayed in the game. I felt there was a lot of football to be played yet.”

The Giants held Barry Sanders to 47 yards in 16 carries to go along with their five interceptions. New York also recovered one fumble and its punt team blocked a kick for a safety.

“We are always striving to create turnovers,” Maurice Douglass said. “We thought that if we could contain Barry, we would force Mitchell to pass a lot, and that we could force some mistakes.”

“At one point, I talked to a cornerback on the way off the field,” said Herman Moore, held to four receptions for 49 yards. “I asked him, ‘Are we that predictable?’ And he said, ‘Honestly, yes.’ ”

Offensively, the Giants (3-5) were led by Dave Brown, who completed 15 of 27 for 221 yards, and Rodney Hampton, who rushed for 76 yards in 27 carries.