Stafford throws for 341 yards, Lions beat Saints 28-13

Below are five positives, and also five negatives, to take from the New Orleans Saints’ 28-13 home loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon.

The Saints defense got shredded by Matt Stafford in an nearly flawless performance. The Lions got the ball on their own 47 yard line. The Saints were feeling pretty good a week ago at this time after crushing the Los Angeles Rams 49-21 in the Superdome, Sunday not so much. The Lions have won six of seven SU and ATS and are trying to win their first NFC North title since 1993.

While the Lions haven’t hosted a playoff game in 23 years, they appear well on their way to that this winter after playing a flawless third quarter of the season.

Asked at his news conference today why so many teams have made such drastic improvements in one year, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said he “couldn’t explain it”. He ranks fourth in the league in passing, and the Raiders (10-2) are tied for the best record in the AFC. Howard has had at least ninety-nine yards from scrimmage in each of the last four games in a run first offense, and he has become a three down back for this offense. The Steelers don’t have the player makers on defense like the Giants do. Prather kicked a 35-yard field goal to make it 16-6 with 8:57 to play in the third quarter.

When the Saints weren’t shooting themselves in both feet, the Lions were covering their receivers better than any team all year.

Then last December, Detroit gained victory at the Superdome 35-27, a result which all but ended the Saints’ postseason hopes. “We have to get better this week”. Listen, I just finished telling you. We play them twice in the next four weeks. The Saints have lit up the scoreboard at home this season, but the Lions put an end to that success with three interceptions in the second half, fierce tackling and discipline in limiting their penalties to prevent any free yardage for the opponent. Cornerback Sterling Moore dropped what had the makings of a certain interception of a tipped pass with the potential for a long return. They picked off Drew Brees three times. “Although, I have to say that we had an abundance of fans down there, which was great to see”, said Caldwell.

Saints coach Sean Payton has experienced clutch envy while studying the Lions this season. “We had trouble staying on the field. We have so many guys that can do so many things in this offense, you can’t guard everybody”. We came in this to win and we knew we were going to win the game.

But, on the next series, Stafford threw a 66 yard touchdown pass to Tate, who eluded BW Webb and Vonn Bell on the way to the endzone.

The Lions renewed their 10-point lead when Prater booted a 29-yard field goal for a 13-3 edge with just 56 seconds left until intermission.

It wasn’t almost enough. “Obviously, to credit Detroit, they’ve been able to win those games and I think that there’s a little bit of confidence, if you will, when that starts happening”. The Saints ran just 57 plays. On one play, he went deep to wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who was double covered, instead of looking for rookie wide receiver Michael Thomas, who was wide open about 18 yards downfield.

“Those are gut-wrenching losses and tough ones to bounce back from”, Payton said.