Elite QBs Stafford, Brees Headline Lions-Saints Matchup
The Associated Press
DETROIT (7-4) vs. NEW ORLEANS (5-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
OPENING LINE — Saints by 4
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Detroit 6-4-1, New Orleans 8-3
SERIES RECORD — Saints lead 12-11-1
LAST MEETING — Lions beat Saints 35-27, Dec. 21, 2015
LAST WEEK — Lions beat Vikings 16-13; Saints beat Rams 49-21
AP PRO32 RANKING — Lions No. 9 (tie), Saints No. 22
LIONS OFFENSE - OVERALL (26), RUSH (30), PASS (17).
LIONS DEFENSE - OVERALL (15), RUSH (16), PASS (14).
SAINTS OFFENSE - OVERALL (1), RUSH (9), PASS (1).
SAINTS DEFENSE - OVERALL (26), RUSH (12), PASS (27).
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Lions have won six of seven for first time since 1995, when they won six of last seven to earn playoff berth for fourth time in five years. Since then, Detroit has been in postseason four times. ... Lions QB Matthew Stafford has thrown one interception in last seven and just six in last 18, dating to Nov. 22, 2015 win over Oakland. In 86 games before that stretch, he threw 97 interceptions. ... Stafford has averaged 278.4 yards passing to go with 15 TD passes against four interceptions in past seven on road. ... Theo Riddick's four TDs receiving tied for lead among NFL RBs. Since 2015, Riddick leads NFL RBs with 128 receptions. ... WR Anquan Boldin has TD catches in past two vs. Saints. ... WR Golden Tate has 16 receptions, 199 yards, three TDs in past two vs. Saints. ... TE Eric Ebron has seven-plus receptions in past two on road. ... DE Kerry Hyder has six sacks in past five games on road. ... LB Tahir Whitehead had 12 tackles in Week 12. Whitehead has 101 tackles for first-career 100-tackle season. ... CB Darius Slay had interception last week. ... Saints QB Drew Brees passed for 310 yards, four TDs, along with TD rushing last week. ... Brees leads NFL with 3,587 yards, 30 TDs passing. ... This season is Brees' ninth with at least 30 TDs passing, tied for most all-time. Brees has TD pass in NFL-record 60 straight at home. ... RB Mark Ingram had 167 scrimmage yards (146 rushing, 21 receiving), and one TD each rushing and receiving last week. ... RB Tim Hightower has at least 100 scrimmage yards in four of past five. ... WR Brandon Coleman has TD catch in past two games. ... WR Michael Thomas leads NFL rookies with 65 receptions, 789 yards receiving, seven TDs. ... Rookie DT Sheldon Rankins has sack in past two at home. ... DE Kasim Edebali had two sacks in last meeting. ... LB Dannell Ellerbe has sack in three straight. ... S Kenny Vaccaro has two interceptions, sack in past two at home. ... Fantasy Tip: WR Brandin Cooks did not have catch last week, was not happy about it and is looking to respond in big way. Cooks has 981 yards receiving, 11 TDs in past 10 at home and had 10 receptions for 124 yards, TD in meeting at Detroit last season.
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