Brandin Cooks Confirms Frustration After Zero Catch Game

So now that we’ve “set the stage” for this Sunday’s game, here are 5 key match-ups to keep a close eye on, in this crucially important game for the Saints.

Lions-Saints breakdown: The Saints should have the Lions’ attention.

The concern for the Rams is that while Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who passed for 310 yards and four touchdowns, has a different style than Brady, both are elite quarterbacks who can throw to a balanced group of receivers.

Detroit’s A’Shawn Robinson, drafted 46th out of Alabama, has two sacks, four tackles for losses and has batted down a handful of passes in 11 games. The Lions have faced three top-10 DVOA offenses in Washington, Green Bay and Tennessee, but none have come in the past four weeks, when the Lions have gelled as a healthier unit. Quarterback Drew Brees also said he wasn’t anxious about Cooks being frustrated. The Lions kicker managed to break the Vikings’ hearts for the second time in a month, having converted a 58 yard game tying attempt at the death during their meeting earlier this month, an overtime that Detroit would go on to win. The teams have played one tie.

The Saints defense has shown some progress this season, but it is still rated just 22nd overall by Pro Football Focus and has often been the reason for losses.

This game could prove to be the toughest test that the Lions have faced yet.

Q3: Matthew Stafford has only five interceptions this year. Have thoughts on how the Lions and Saints are performing? If he maintains his completion percentage of 71.5, he’ll break the National Football League record of 71.2 he set in 2011. Diggs has had an underwhelming season as the Lions’ nickel cornerback after playing well upon winning the job in the second half of a year ago. It is imperative that they continue that against the Saints to limit yards after the catch. “We can play well and we have played well for stretches this year”. They always will. So don’t let it get to you. “For one, if you’re running the ball well, then you’re probably going to have a lot of wide-open throws”. There’s never going to be one guy catching all the passes in the NFL’s leading passing offense. “Those (short passes) are easier to play from”. There hasn’t been as sustained as a run of good play as maybe I would like as the offensive coordinator.

Last week’s 49-21 victory over the Rams was an exception. WR Brandon Coleman has TD catch in past two games. Ingram’s performance earned him the NFC Player of the Week award. The Saints offense is also a little bit more balanced.

It’s a lot easier for a defense to take away a deep-threat receiver than one with running-back skills like Tate.

Lions linebacker Josh Bynes is well aware of what Ingram can do, and the versatility he adds to the offense. They train together in the offseason in Florida. While they know they still have an uphill climb to get back into the post-season, the defense is doing everything it can to hold up its end of the bargain. He gives us some versatility. Same guy – a downhill runner. “We need to make sure that we have efficient drives and we’re getting points”.

As hard as it is to believe, Brees has just two 400-yard games this season (Raiders – Week 1, Panthers – Week 6).