Saints Host Lions In NFC Playoffs On Saturday-Game Preview

The New Orleans Saints begin their quest for their second Super Bowl title over the last three seasons, when they host the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening, in the Wild-Card round of the NFC Playoffs.

New Orleans, who won eight-consecutive games to close out the 2011 regular season, matched their 2009 Super Bowl-winning club's franchise record of 13 wins.

Not only that, but they did it in style, gaining 7,474 yards, 399 more than the 2002 St. Louis Rams, and quarterback Drew Brees broke Dan Marino's single-season record, which he set back in 1984, with 5,476 passing yards.

Brees also finished the season with a league-high 46 touchdown passes.

His favorite target is tight end Jimmy Graham, who has caught 99 passes, for 1,310 yards, and 11 touchdowns.

Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford has had a nice season himself, 421 of 663 passes, for 5,038 yards, and 41 touchdowns.

Stafford's go-to guy is receiver Calvin Johnson, who has 96 receptions, for 1,681 yards, and 16 touchdowns.

The Saints defeated the Lions, 31-17, back on December 4, in New Orleans, where the Saints are a perfect 8-0 on the year.

Kick-off time at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome is scheduled for 7 o'clock.