National Football League

Why the Saints will beat the Lions

Published Dec. 1, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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The Lions travel to New Orleans this weekend in a clash loaded with playoff implications. The Saints are 8-3 and a game behind the Niners for the coveted No. 2 seed and the bye in the NFC. Detroit is 7-4 and, despite recent struggles, in the thick of the wild-card hunt. But the Lions need a win. They need their swagger back. The game is so juicy that the league flexed it into primetime on Sunday night.

So why do I feel like this is going to be another Saints blowout win?

Breaking news: Drew Brees and the Saints scored 14 more points while you were reading the first paragraph.

If it is remotely possible, with Aaron Rodgers’ season for the ages, Brees’ domination has been overshadowed this year. Brees embarrassed the Giants. He has thrown for 3,689 yards, leading the league. Brees has 20 or more completions in an NFL-record 31 games in a row. Brees also has thrown a touchdown pass in 38 straight games, which is the second-longest streak in NFL history.

Oh, by the way, the dominant Ndamukong Suh is rightfully suspended for this game for his thug-like, dirty, bush-league actions of stomping on a player on Thanksgiving Day.

The Lions defense hasn’t been the same in the last few weeks. Sure, Kyle Vanden Bosch and the other talented defensive linemen will be on the field. But we are talking about Drew Brees. His pocket presence is amazing. His offensive line keeps him clean. And his weapons are plentiful. Detroit didn’t have any answers on Thanksgiving for the Packers' elite offense.

I’d put the Saints offense right behind Green Bay. It will be more of the same. Jimmy Graham leads all NFL tight ends in receptions and yards. He burned the Giants for two scores. The Lions can’t cover him. Darren Sproles is a stud. Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Robert Meachem should thrive against the Lions’ beatable cornerbacks.

The Lions haven’t been the same team in the second half of the year. Jahvid Best is dealing with a concussion. Kevin Smith was a great story a few weeks ago, back with the Lions after injury and being jettisoned from the roster. But now he’s nursing a high ankle sprain and has missed practice this week. Chances are, Matthew Stafford won’t have the balance he needs to succeed. And I think New Orleans will jump out to a big lead and the Lions will have to pass to catch up.

The atmosphere in New Orleans is always something special for a primetime game. The Saints haven’t lost in the Dome this season. And they won’t be denied on Sunday night.

Good luck with your Lions, Peter Schrager.

Saints 41, Lions 20
 

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