Saints dismantle Lions in Detroit

Detroit stalled after a hot start, unable to recover from the Saints 28 unanswered points in the 1st half.

Analyze

New Orleans allowed 15 unanswered points in the 2nd half, somehow holding on to the 35-29 road victory.

The Script

• Lions scored twice in two minutes during the 1st qtr, Saints countered with 35 unanswered points and then the Lions retailated with 15 unanswered.

• Saints HB Latavius Murray and Tre'Quan Smith combined for 4 of 5 touchdowns for the Saints.

• Potential last minute win after Lions 2nd half comeback falls short for 3rd time this year.

Game Story

1st Half

• Opening drive, Matt Stafford connects with Danny Amendola for the 50-yard pickup, setting up the Lions' red-zone score from seven yards out (HB D'Andre Swift Lions 7-0)

• Key interception on the Saints opening drive by Darryl Roberts set up Stafford's short hand-off to Kenny Golladay for the 15 yard rushing score (14-0)

• End of 1st quarter, HB Latavius Murray's 3-yard rush puts New Orleans on the board (14-7)

• A key 29 yard 4th-down conversion by Alvin Kamara put the Saints in the red-zone, where Kamara walked in for the one yard score (14-14)

• A pass interference call on the Saints put the Lions in the red-zone but Stafford threw the ball to Patrick Robinson for the end-zone interception. "

• Afterwards, Drew Brews set up WR Tre'Quan Smith for the 2-yard score (21-14 Saints)

• Brees' 20 yard pass to Smith for his second score of the day puts New Orleans up 14 going into the break (28-14)

2nd Half

• Brees hands it off to HB Murray for the 6-yard score, pushing the lead to three scores (35-14)

• Stafford lobs it out to TE T.J. Hockenson for the 1-yard score, Lions within 14 (35-21)

• Late in the 3rd quarter, Amani Oruwariye picks off Brees in Lions' territory, call is REVERSED

• HB Adrian Peterson pushed his way into the end zone and a successful 2-pt conversion throw to Hockenson put Detroit within six (35-29)

• The comeback stalls New Orleans holds on to win 35-29

Stats

Detroit

• Matthew Stafford: 17/31 for 206 yards, 3 TD's and 1 INT.

• Kenny Golladay: 4 REC for 62 yards and one touchdown

• Adrian Peterson: 11 carries for 36 yards

New Orleans

• Drew Brees: 19/25 for 246 yards, two touchdowns and one interception

• Emmanuel Sanders: six receptions for 93 yards

• Alvin Kamara: 19 carries for 83 yards and one touchdown