With most of the starters and key contributors having the night off, Thursday's preseason opener for the Detroit Lions was an opportunity for young players, backups, and roster hopefuls to impress the coaches in a game setting after two days of joint practices against the New York Giants on Monday and Tuesday.

Rainy and wet conditions persisted throughout the contest, making it less than ideal for both offenses, but the Giants were able to make a few more plays in a 14-3 New York victory.

Detroit struggled to move the ball consistently in the first half with quarterback Nate Sudfeld starting and playing up to halftime.

Detroit had just 87 yards of offense in the first half compared to 172 yards for the Giants.

The first points of the game came from the right leg of Lions kicker Jake Bates on a 53-yard field goal set up by an interception returned to the Giants' 35-yard line.

Bates has had an up-and-down training camp, so it was good to see him make his first attempt of the preseason right down the middle.

View photos from the Detroit Lions vs.

New York Giants Preseason Week 1 game at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, August 8 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St.

Brown (14) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) and Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) and Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions tight end Parker Hesse (43) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) and Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu (45) and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Chris Smith (90) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris (39) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

(15) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu (45) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0), Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris (39), and Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (69) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP).

Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (99) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug.

8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey