Lions Have To Find Fire Again Before Traveling To New Orleans
By Danny Cox
The Detroit Lions' loss to the St. Louis Rams was just a hard one to take, and it came on the same day the the New Orleans Saints earned a big victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, the team from the "Big Easy" still has a shot at getting in the playoffs and know that each game is a must-win, and it all starts with the Lions.
Season Record
The Saints are 5-8 and have had a season like no-one expected as they were preseason Super Bowl contenders. It's been a season that many realize will bring about numerous changes in New Orleans once the season is over, but they're going to keep on fighting until the very end.
New Orleans Saints on Offense
Running back Mark Ingram was just lost for the season, but this weekend, Tim Hightower showed that he still has a lot of play left in him. The Lions will have to keep an eye on him as he's quick, elusive, and a bruising back. Luckily, C.J. Spiller has lost a few steps and the Lions won't have to worry about him as much.
Drew Brees, on the other hand, is always dangerous. He can make a target out of anyone and everyone on the field, and that means Detroit will have to cover every single player on offense because Brees will use them to his advantage.
New Orleans Saints on Defense
Defensively, the Saints are not good at all and rank near the bottom of the league in just about every category. Matthew Stafford will need to take advantage of this and allow Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate to find spots in the secondary that will have them open. The loss of tight end Brandon Pettigrew for the season is going to hurt.
Rookie linebacker Stephone Anthony has really come about as one of the best players for the Saints' defense this season, and he's going to be all over the field. When the Lions least expect it, he will be there so someone on the line needs to know where he is throughout the game.
New Orleans Saints' Players to Watch
Wide receiver Willie Snead returned to action this weekend and proved that he is one of Brees' favorite targets out there. Both he and Brandin Cooks have speed, agility, and the ability to get open and make the big catches.
On defense, the Saints found a big-time keeper in cornerback Delvin Breaux. The young defensive back has allowed just one receiving yard in the past three weeks, but he's going to have his hands full with Johnson or Tate of the Lions.
Outlook
New Orleans has lost a lot of games they should have won this year, and that gives the Lions a chance to beat a team they truly can. With both Detroit and the Saints, it's hard to say which team is going to show up each week, but Matthew Stafford needs to get the team that put together a three-game win streak to get out of the Who Dat Nation with a win.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
