Coning into Sunday the Detroit Lions had dropped two straight and lost their footing in the competitive NFC North. However, thanks to Matthew Stafford and Kenny Golladay they were able to stop the bleeding. Now at 3-3-1 on the season, Week 9 could be a turning point for the team as they still hope to find their way into the playoffs.

Here are three things we learned in their 31-26 victory over the New York Giants:

1. They will miss Kerryon Johnson 

Detroit's starting running back Kerryon Johnson was put on IR's after suffering a knee injury last week against the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions would be fortunate if he returns this season but his absence in the comings games will me major.

The Lions were reliant upon Johnson to be the team's bell-cow running back as he has 62 more carries than the next closest Lions running back. While Johnson may not have been as productive as Lions fans would have hoped, averaging 3.3 yards per carry, his steadiness and depth will be missed.

Tra Carson led the way on Sunday with only 34 yards on the ground. A team that was already reliant upon Matthew Stafford to throw the ball at least 30 times a game will be asking even more of the 31-year-old quarterback.

2. Matthew Stafford will have have to carry the Lions 

In previous seasons, you did not know what Matthew Stafford you were going to get from week to week, but so far this season the 11-year veteran has shown up in every game for Detroit. He has thrown for 300 yards in all but three games and has carried an offense in which he is the focal point.

Even in the team's last two losses, Stafford has played well in each. He has clearly grown into a smarter quarterback that understands how the game needs to be played in order to keep his team in ball games. Johnson's loss will further push Stafford into the forefront of the Lions offense.

3. Detroit's secondary will have to improve 

Daniel Jones was able to pick apart the Lion's secondary at will Sunday. One could blame the performance on the team's recent trade of team captain Quandre Diggs, but the problems run much deeper than that. The Lions give up more passing yards per game than any other team in the NFL, and when you're giving up 289.7 a game it's going to be difficult to win.

Although the offense does struggle at times, they are only able to keep the team in games because of the defensive blunders. If the Lions want to go anywhere this season, they will have to fix up the defensive side of the ball in order to compete.