The New Orleans Saints are the number three seed  in the NFC Playoffs, and will host the 6th-seeded Detroit Lions on Saturday, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, in the opening round.

The Saints, who won the NFC South this year, for the second time in the last three years, wrapped-up their 2011 regular season schedule on Sunday by defeating the Carolina Panthers, 45-17, for their eighth consecutive win.

New Orleans finished a regular season undefeated at home for the first time in franchise history, and also tied a team record for the most wins in a regular season, with 13.

Quarterback Drew Brees leads a potent Saints offense, which ranks as the best in the league, in terms of total offense, completing 468 of 657 passes this year, for an NFL single-season record 5,476 yards, and a league-best 46 touchdowns.

Brees has plenty of weapons at his disposal too, with the likes of tight end Jimmy Graham and receiver Marques Colston, who combined for 179 receptions, for 2,453 yards, and 19 touchdowns, and running back/kick returner Darren Sproles, who set an NFL single-season record for all-purpose yards, with 2,669.

The Lions are pretty good offensively in their own right, ranking fifth in overall offense. Leading the way is quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns.

Stafford's favorite target is receiver Calvin Johnson, who caught 96 passes, for 1,681 yards, and 16 touchdowns.

The Saints will come into the playoffs with a 13-3 overall mark, while the Lions stand at 10-6.

New Orleans defeated Detriot, 31-17, back on December 4.

Kick-off time is scheduled for 7 o'clock.

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View the Saints/Lions playoff match-up page at ESPN.com.

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