Flat Saints Fall To Lions 28-13

The offense that torched a good LA Rams defense a week ago was missing in action Sunday, as the Saints fell to the Lions 28-13 at home.

Detroit, who until Sunday, had not led to begin the fourth quarter all year kept the Saints offense off of the field for much of the game. The Lions controlled the clock for nearly 37 minutes and limited the potent Saints offense to just 369 yards and one touchdown.

After forcing the Saints to punt on the opening drive Matt Stafford marched the Lions down the field on nine plays in 5:09, to take a 3-0 lead. The field goal was the first of five Matt Prater kicks.

The time-consuming drive set the tone for the afternoon.

After another punt Stafford found Theo Riddick for a one-yard touchdown pass, giving the Lions a 10-0 lead. The touchdown pass capped off an 11-play, 92-yard drive that chewed 7:25 off the clock.

The Saints would finally break through late in the second quarter when Will Lutz hit a 40-yard field goal with 5:11 to play in the half. The kick was the first of three drives in which both teams would trade field goals.

At the half, New Orleans trailed 13-6.

The second half was much like the first, Detroit used several long drives to take time away from Drew Brees and the Saints offense. Detroit added two more field goals to take a 19-6 lead before a John Kuhn 1-yard run gave New Orleans a bit of life early in the fourth quarter, cutting the Lion lead to 19-13.

But that would be as close as the Saints would get.

Detroit immediately answered when Stafford hit Golden Tate on a 66-yard touchdown pass. A two-point try was no good, but the damage was done. The touchdown would be the last of the day, although Detroit would add one more Prater field goal, giving Detroit the 28-13 win.

The Lions defense picked off Drew Brees three times on the afternoon, constantly got pressure on the New Orleans quarterback, and simply never allowed the Saints offense to find a rhythm.

Denis Allen's defense allowed just two touchdowns and managed to hold Detroit to five field goals. But they also gave up 422 yards to the Lions and were never able to find a way to get Detroit off the field on third down.

With the loss, the Saints fall to 5-7 on the season.