After what the Giants went through last season, Victor Cruz isn’t afraid to label this year’s season opener a must-win game.
An ugly 0-6 start in 2013 all but guaranteed the Giants a second consecutive year without a playoff berth, which is why Cruz and others said Monday that it’s crucial Big Blue beat the Lions in Detroit Monday night to set a better tone this year.
“You want to go out there and start your season on the right foot and start the season on a positive note,” Cruz said. “The first one is definitely a must-win and all of them are. We want to go in with that mind-set that this game is one we have to have and move forward from there.”
The Giants rebounded in the second half last season and finished 7-9 — respectable, considering the hole they had dug themselves.
Eli Manning said he and his teammates consider it important to carry over the momentum from that 7-3 finish. Manning also said the Giants welcome all the doubters their slow start last year and their offensive woes this summer have created.
“You can always use that as motivation,” Manning said of the skeptics. “We have to rely on each other. We have to have confidence in each other and know that we’re going to bust our tails and prepare and work and go out there and compete and find a way to win the game.”
History says the Giants have a good chance at a 1-0 start this year. Big Blue have not lost a road game to the Lions since 1983, going 5-0 in that span — a streak that includes a 23-20 win at Ford Field last year.
Coughlin is holding out hope that guard Brandon Mosley will be able to practice when the Giants return to the field Thursday and then play against the Lions. Mosley did not practice Monday after missing the preseason finale last Thursday with a back injury.
“I would say that he is much better than he was before the start of the weekend,” Coughlin said.
John Jerry played right guard for most of the final preseason game, and his performance appeared to leave Coughlin confident there wouldn’t be a big drop-off if Mosley can’t play in Detroit.
“I thought John Jerry the other night with 50-something snaps did well,” Coughlin said.
The Giants added offensive tackle Mark Asper to the practice squad after releasing him Saturday. The team still has two practice-squad spots remaining.