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Oct 14, 2010 - 1:37 AM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Two dominating defensive efforts have helped the New York Giants bounce back from a pair of losses. Facing the surprisingly offensive-minded Detroit Lions, the Giants might need another strong performance on the defensive side of the ball.

New York goes for its first home win in this matchup in nearly 20 years on Sunday when it faces a Lions team trying to snap a 23-game road losing streak.

After recording 10 sacks - including an NFL-record nine in the first half - in a 17-3 win over visiting Chicago on Oct. 3, New York (3-2) limited Houston to a franchise-low 24 rushing yards in Sunday's 34-10 road win.

Despite yielding a league-low 244.6 yards per game, ranking third in sacks (19) and tied for the NFL lead with eight forced fumbles, the Giants are not easing up after rebounding from losses to Indianapolis and Tennessee.

"It's easy for us to look at all of the good things and get kind of full of ourselves, but the reason why I think we've gotten better the last two games is because when we come in on Mondays, we want to hear about the things we didn't do so well and improve on that," said defensive end Justin Tuck, who has four sacks in the last two games after recording none through Week 3. "I think our mindset and our focus is in the right place."

Tuck, Osi Umenyiora (team-high six sacks), Chris Canty and Barry Cofield have caused headaches for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and Houston's Matt Schaub the last two weeks, and the Giants' defensive line will now look to pressure a Shaun Hill-led offense averaging an NFC-best 25.2 points.

The Lions scored 16.4 points per game in 2009 when they finished 2-14.

Hill completed 21 of 32 for 227 yards and three TDs in Sunday's 44-6 rout of St. Louis. It was Detroit's first victory since Nov. 22, 2009, and its most lopsided win in 15 years.

"It was a long time coming," center Dominic Raiola said. "We know what we're capable of. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. It's just one win, but it's sweet."

The Lions (1-4) are hoping for another strong performance from Hill as they go for their first road win since Oct. 28, 2007, versus the Bears.

Acquired from San Francisco in the offseason for a seventh-round pick, Hill has completed 61.1 percent of his passes and has thrown eight TDs with seven interceptions since starter Matthew Stafford suffered an injured right shoulder in the season opener. Hill recorded the second-best passer rating (117.6) of his career Sunday.

"Even though we don't have Matt, we have somebody who can hold down the fort," said Nate Burleson, who caught a 26-yard score from Hill after missing the previous two games with an ankle injury.

With Calvin Johnson's status in question, Hill might have to focus more on Burleson, Brandon Pettigrew and tight end Tony Scheffler.

Johnson, who leads the team with 291 receiving yards, left in the fourth quarter Sunday with a right shoulder injury. Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Monday that the former No. 2 overall pick was undergoing tests to determine his availability for the team's first game at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

"You don't get discouraged by that," said Hill, who will face the Giants for the first time. "... We believe in the stuff we're doing."

Giants quarterback Eli Manning feels the same confidence in Hakeem Nicks, connecting with the second-year wide receiver 12 times for 130 yards and two TDs in Sunday's victory.

"You never know who's going to have the hot day," Manning said after throwing for 297 yards and three scores. "I don't have favorites and I don't pick guys out. I'm reading coverages and throwing to the open guy. So they know that."

Manning completed 28 of 39 for 283 yards and a TD in the teams' last matchup, a 16-10 New York road win Nov. 18, 2007.

Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, who broke his left leg in that game, will likely miss his third straight game Sunday with a neck injury.

Pro Bowl center Shaun O'Hara (left ankle) and linebacker Keith Bullock (turf toe) could both return for New York, which has dropped three in a row at home to the Lions since a 20-0 victory Nov. 18, 1990.