Playoff Game 1: January 7, 2012 @ 8:00PM Detroit Lions -v- New Orleans Saints

[John_Brian_K]

DETROIT LIONS PLAYOFFS



-V-



AT



Television:
NBC

The Line:
New Orleans Saints -10.5 — Over/Under: 58.5

The last time they played:
Lions: 17
Saints: 31
December 4, 2011

"NEW ORLEANS -- Drew Brees rifled a 20-yard pass over the middle in just the right spot for Lance Moore to make a leaping catch between two defenders in the end zone.

The receiver might have been impressed if he hadn't seen it so many times before.

"He doesn't amaze us. That's just Brees out there," Moore said. "He does it every single day in practice. The rest of the world doesn't get to see it but once a week."

Brees made a little more history for New Orleans and kept mistake-prone Detroit struggling, passing for 342 yards and three touchdowns as the Saints won their fourth straight, 31-17 over the Lions on Sunday night. The performance gave Brees 4,031 yards this season, making him the first quarterback in NFL history to eclipse the 4,000-yard mark in the first 12 games.

"We were able to spread the ball around and come up with some big plays," Brees said. "I hope our hopes and aspirations are bigger than setting records."

His touchdown passes went for 67 yards to Robert Meachem, 20 yards to Moore and 6 yards to Darren Sproles. He also connected eight times with tight end Jimmy Graham for 89 yards as the Saints (9-3) improved to 6-0 at home while taking a two-game lead over Atlanta in the NFC South.

"He's a stud, a young raw talent but a guy who's figuring it out quickly," Brees said of Graham, who became the first Saints tight end to have 1,000 yards receiving in a season. "I love most his heart and desire."

Matthew Stafford passed for 408 yards and one touchdown for the Lions (7-5), who have lost five of their last seven, but remain in playoff contention.

The Lions hurt themselves with 11 penalties for 107 yards, including three offensive pass interference penalties and a personal foul on tight end Brandon Pettigrew for shoving an official who was trying to get between him and Saints safety Roman Harper after the whistle.

"We lost to the Saints, but we beat ourselves today. Our offense continued to get derailed by penalties," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "We need to act accordingly. We need to be a team that doesn't beat ourselves. We have talent, we have good schemes, good coaching. We cannot afford to be selfish and put the team at risk of taking points off the board and there was way too much of that today."

The mistakes made it impossible for the Lions to keep pace with the league's No. 1 offense, and Detroit missed a chance to take a one-game lead over Chicago and Atlanta in the NFC wild-card race.

"We had a great opportunity to do what we wanted to do," Stafford said. "Obviously, we did not do it tonight. Smart football teams are still playing in January. Teams that make smart decisions don't beat themselves."

Mark Ingram scored New Orleans' first touchdown on a 14-yard run. The Saints then built a 24-7 halftime lead on the touchdowns to Meachem and Moore before Detroit showed signs of mounting a comeback in the third quarter.

Jason Hanson's 31-yard field goal made it 24-10. The Lions pulled within one score on Maurice Morris' 9-yard touchdown reception from Stafford, capping a nine-play, 88-yard drive.

Hanson lined up for a 55-yarder early in the fourth quarter that could have pulled the Lions even closer, but it missed wide left.
"We've got a lot of work to do still ... but I like the fact that we're playing with confidence," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "I like the fact that we answered in the second half when the momentum shifted."

That answer came on Sproles' TD, which capped a seven-play, 55-yard drive on which Brees found Graham four times for 46 yards.

Graham said he was in man-to-man coverage, "and Drew laid a couple in there for me."

"He's a surgeon out there and makes me look good," Graham added. "When your quarterback has confidence in you, it raises you to a new level."

Although the Lions were without Ndamukong Suh because of his two-game suspension, and also without injured defensive backs Chris Houston (left knee) and Louis Delmas (left knee), Schwartz said that was no excuse for several defensive lapses, particularly in the first half.

"We played poorly on defense. We never gave ourselves a chance," Schwartz said. "We didn't get the job done in coverage, we didn't get the job done rushing the passer."

Still, Detroit got more pressure on Brees than the Saints' recent opponents, sacking him twice, including rookie Nick Fairley's first career sack. Brees had not been sacked in three previous games.

Stafford completed 31 of 44 passes, but was sacked three times and intercepted by Tracy Porter.

Nate Burleson had five catches for 93 yards, while Calvin Johnson had six catches for 69 yards.

Meachem caught three passes for 119 yards.

After Meachem's TD made it 17-0, the Lions responded with an 80-yard scoring drive on which Stafford completed all six of his passes. Kevin Smith's 2-yard TD run made it 17-7.

Moore's score with 22 seconds left in the first half increased the lead to 24-7, but the Lions had a chance to get some points in the final seconds after Titus Young beat Saints defensive back Patrick Robinson deep down the left sideline for a 52-yard gain to the Saints 24.

Robinson saved a touchdown by pushing Young out of bounds, then made amends for his earlier mistake in coverage by coming off the end to block Hanson's field-goal attempt as time expired in the half.

The first quarter was more of a defensive struggle, with the only scoring coming on John Kasay's 39-yard field goal that gave New Orleans a 3-0 lead.

His kick capped a methodical 13-play, 41-yard drive during which the Saints converted three third downs."

Final 2011 NFL Power Rankings:

[T&P_Fan]

Awesome.

Playoff games are pretty impossible to predict. And I have never seen a Lions playoff game (one that I can remember), so I am pretty damn pumped. Makes it hard to get excited for the Michigan game tonight.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

I take it that it was before your time, but the 1991 play-off game aganst Dallas was most cromulant.

[number20]

Awesome.

Playoff games are pretty impossible to predict. And I have never seen a Lions playoff game (one that I can remember), so I am pretty damn pumped. Makes it hard to get excited for the Michigan game tonight.

You haven't missed much. We've been primarily first round exiters - with 1991 being the lone exception. And trust me, you would not have wanted to watch most of them - especially the Eagles debacle of 1995.

I'm thinking we'll add to our 1st round legacy this Saturday - not sure we can survive the Saints (one never knows, however). Regardless, it's been a terrific season. Stafford's the real deal, and Megatron is turning into a wide receiver version of Barry Sanders

[T&P_Fan]

Awesome.

Playoff games are pretty impossible to predict. And I have never seen a Lions playoff game (one that I can remember), so I am pretty damn pumped. Makes it hard to get excited for the Michigan game tonight.

In 91 I was 5 years old, and I didn't start following the Lions until Barry retired, so this is my high point for the Lions currently.

Pretty happy to hear Delmas is practicing and should be ready for Saturday. He would be a huge addition to the secondary, if healthy, he is the leader back there and definitely the best player.

[Yoda]

So excited for this!!!

[djhutch]

[John_Brian_K]

How they stack up stat wise:

QB's:


Our best offensive player -v- their best offensive player:


We all know the Saints and the Lions have more than just one threat on offense, but it is nice to know we will have the best receiver threat on the field this Saturday.

Total Team offense stats:


The Saints are 6th in rushing YPG and the Lions are 29th

I was hoping we had the edge in INT's and we do....5th in the league with 21 and the Saints 29th in the league with 9. No real ball hawks on their team. In order to win this one we need to win the turnover battle for sure. Hoping Brees gets a little too 'breezy' and the secondary can make him pay.

We are also thiiird in the league in recovered fumbles with 17 and NO is 26th with 7.

We gotta get a defensive TD to win this game....maybe more than a TD.

[John_Brian_K]

Why does it feel like this is what we are trying to do?:

[Shinzaki]

I was a 9 year-old kid when the Lions lost 5-0 to the Cowboys...who loses a playoff game 5-0? I don't think I'll have to worry about this one being 5-0.

My daughter is 10...she loves football. If she doesn'tunderstand something that happened she'll ask me "why is that good/bad". This puts her one up on my wife and about 10 up on the 97.1 morning show.... :) Can't wait to to see Stafford and Brees throwing the ball around....

[T&P_Fan]

My daughter is 10...she loves football. If she doesn'tunderstand something that happened she'll ask me "why is that good/bad". This puts her one up on my wife and about 10 up on the 97.1 morning show.... :) Can't wait to to see Stafford and Brees throwing the ball around....

You're parenting skills rock. Its like you have a little buddy to watch the games with.

I couldn't be any more pumped for Saturday, I am geeked really.

[lesgoblu02]

The Lions will be playing the role of the gangsters breaking into the car. Drew Brees will be playing the role of Derek Vinyard.

A curb stomping will ensue.

But at least I get to watch a meaningful game after week 17. Even if it is for about 19 minutes.

[John_Brian_K]

I was a 9 year-old kid when the Lions lost 5-0 to the Cowboys...who loses a playoff game 5-0? I don't think I'll have to worry about this one being 5-0.

My daughter is 10...she loves football. If she doesn'tunderstand something that happened she'll ask me "why is that good/bad". This puts her one up on my wife and about 10 up on the 97.1 morning show.... :) Can't wait to to see Stafford and Brees throwing the ball around....

Ever find yourself wondering what just happened?

Watching a catch called not a catch and then the 'replay official guru' Mike Pereira saying one thing and the officials on the field saying another? Even the officials have no idea what they are calling anymore.

I do not celebrate TD's or big catches anymore because I have to hold my breath and hope to hell the ball didn't move or some other non sense. They are taking the fun out of the game....I, literally, do not get excited about a long pass play or a TD until about a minute or so after the play....I am waiting for a flag for holding or illegal procedure or someone unmanicured toes crossing the plane of the end zone or some weird crap before I can get excited about a play. It sucks. I am pretty much in limbo until the next snap when theat last play is technically over.

[T&P_Fan]

The Lions will be playing the role of the gangsters breaking into the car. Drew Brees will be playing the role of Derek Vinyard.

A curb stomping will ensue.

But at least I get to watch a meaningful game after week 17. Even if it is for about 19 minutes.

For those that haven't seen American History X, please do, awesome movie.

[John_Brian_K]

The Lions will be playing the role of the gangsters breaking into the car. Drew Brees will be playing the role of Derek Vinyard.

A curb stomping will ensue.

But at least I get to watch a meaningful game after week 17. Even if it is for about 19 minutes.

I am hoping for a better result, but can see this scenario happening.....or the exact opposite happening....which is a big reason why it will be an exciting game.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

For those that haven't seen American History X, please do, awesome movie.

Got to be honest - didn't care for the movie much. Thought the characters insufficiently nuanced and didn't care for the character development. JMO.

Back to the Lions - I think the lose a shoot-out - something like 38-24.

[T&P_Fan]

Got to be honest - didn't care for the movie much. Thought the characters insufficiently nuanced and didn't care for the character development. JMO.

Some like coffee, some like cappuccino. I am just a big Ed Norton fan.

Back to the Lions - I think the lose a shoot-out - something like 38-24.

The Lions ability to win this game relies on two things, a better pass rush then we have see in the past few weeks and Delmas coming back and helping the secondary.

I feel like Stafford could have a big game; weather won't be an issue and Stafford can just flat out sling it.

Even if we lose, Stafford is 23, we are just at the beginning of what could be a decade worth of being a contender.

[John_Brian_K]

The Saints O-line is REAL good....doubt we get at Brees without changing something up. We need turnovers to win this game IMO. 1 or 2 pick 6's or FR for a TD. Without that I am not sure if we can stand toe to toe with them, but look at the stats between Brees and Stafford....amazing how close they are considering Brees is a 10 year vet and Stafford is finsihing up hiw first full season in the league....I do; however, want to temper the excitement because I highly doubt he has another year like this in his life.

[lesgoblu02]

Drew Brees is better than Matt Flynn.

Drew Brees has better weapons around him than Matt Flynn.

Drew Brees has a good running game behind him.

The Lions are going to get run out of the building Saturday night. Something like 45-24.

Even if we lose, Stafford is 23, we are just at the beginning of what could be a decade worth of being a contender.

But this...right here...is why I won't care if the above happens. The future is bright and we could be in for a fun ride over the next 5 years.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Some like coffee, some like cappuccino. I am just a big Ed Norton fan.

I love Ed Norton. My issue with the film has little to nothing to do with Ed, and a lot to do with the plot / character development.

I don't want to de-rail the thread, so I can either start a thread or we can discuss further via PM if you would like.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

The future is bright and we could be in for a fun ride over the next 5 years.

Exactly. My attitude is win or lose, this year was successful. The Lions took a large (and necessary) step forward for the second straight season. They are not only relevant, they are a good team, and they are only outclassed by elite teams. They have a QB. I suspect it will be much easier to attract free agents to Detroit now. I also think it easier to convince Calvin to stay without sticking the franchise tag on him.

That written, I absolutely would love a win as a fan and for additional team development purposes.

[John_Brian_K]

Drew Brees is better than Matt Flynn.

Matt Stafford is better than Matt Flynn...that didn't work out so well for us.

Drew Brees has better weapons around him than Matt Flynn.

Matt Stafford has better weapons around him than Drew Brees.

Drew Brees has a good running game behind him.

Drew Brees does have the better running game...no question.

The Lions are going to get run out of the building Saturday night. Something like 45-24.

I can see that happening....I can also see Nawlens getting thrown out of their own building 52-38.

But this...right here...is why I won't care if the above happens. The future is bright and we could be in for a fun ride over the next 5 years.

I put our chances at .......1 in 3 and the future is beaming.

[T&P_Fan]

I love Ed Norton. My issue with the film has little to nothing to do with Ed, and a lot to do with the plot / character development.

I don't want to de-rail the thread, so I can either start a thread or we can discuss further via PM if you would like.

Up to you, I bet others would be interested as well, its a movie many are familiar with.

[lesgoblu02]

Matt Stafford is better than Matt Flynn...that didn't work out so well for us.



Matt Stafford has better weapons around him than Drew Brees.



Drew Brees does have the better running game...no question.



I can see that happening....I can also see Nawlens getting thrown out of their own building 52-38.



I put our chances at .......1 in 3 and the future is beaming.

Matt Stafford won't be playing against the Lions defense that got thoroughly embarrassed by Green Bays B squad. Drew Brees will be. But I suspect you already knew that.

IMO, the Saints are the best team in the NFL. I see no way they get blown out by anyone.

edit: I also disagree that Stafford has better weapons. CJ, yes. After that New Orleans has better talent at all skill positions than Detroit. Henderson, Colston, Moore at WR are all better than any other Lions WR. Graham is a top 2 TE in the NFL and Darren Sproles is one of the most dangerous players in the league at any position.

[T&P_Fan]

I think the Saints are the best home team in the NFL. They were 5-3 on the road with a loss to the Rams and Bucs. So I think the status quo for Brees and Co. will unfold this Saturday, I do not think they can win at either SF or GB.

If the Lions can upset the Saints in NO, then they can beat anybody.

[John_Brian_K]

Matt Stafford won't be playing against the Lions defense that got thoroughly embarrassed by Green Bays B squad. Drew Brees will be. But I suspect you already knew that.

IMO, the Saints are the best team in the NFL. I see no way they get blown out by anyone.

Minus their admitted leader on defense in Delmas who may be back along with Berry.

And FTR the Saints D is worse than the Lions D....they do not force as many turnovers and give up just as many YPG as the Lions.

And while Matt Flynn may go on to do absolutely nothing in his career and the Detroit D did not play well....he played one hell of a game making some REAL good throws to out pass a top 5 QB this year in Stafford.

[John_Brian_K]

Matt Stafford won't be playing against the Lions defense that got thoroughly embarrassed by Green Bays B squad. Drew Brees will be. But I suspect you already knew that.

IMO, the Saints are the best team in the NFL. I see no way they get blown out by anyone.

edit: I also disagree that Stafford has better weapons. CJ, yes. After that New Orleans has better talent at all skill positions than Detroit. Henderson, Colston, Moore at WR are all better than any other Lions WR. Graham is a top 2 TE in the NFL and Darren Sproles is one of the most dangerous players in the league at any position.

I like CJ, Burleson, Young, Scheffler and Pettigrew more than what the Saints have.....the only plus for the Saints IMO is the running game.

I think Young is one of the best 3 receivers in the game right now....I like him alot. I have always been a big fan of Burleson and the tight end combo is beastly IMO....did you see that catch Scheffler made in the end zone?

We may be splitting hairs because it is fairly close, but I like our guys more.

[John_Brian_K]

Also ...can you imagine Detroit with Sproles? Holy cow...the way this year went with Best going down and Leshure never getting on the field I could have seen him doing the same for us as NO. Scary how man points we could have put up.

[RedRamage]

I do not celebrate TD's or big catches anymore because I have to hold my breath and hope to hell the ball didn't move or some other non sense. They are taking the fun out of the game....I, literally, do not get excited about a long pass play or a TD until about a minute or so after the play....I am waiting for a flag for holding or illegal procedure or someone unmanicured toes crossing the plane of the end zone or some weird crap before I can get excited about a play. It sucks.

I'm not (quite) to that point. I still get excited, but then after cheering, I always start looking around for a flag or something because I always do wonder...

I am pretty much in limbo until the next snap when theat last play is technically over.

Speaking of this... am I the only one who YELLS at the screen after a close play is called in the Lions favor? It seems like the team never realizes that maybe this will be reviewed and maybe we should hurry up and get a play off to either: a.) Make sure it can't be reviewed or b.) Force the opposing coach into having to make a quick, un-informed decision and maybe waste a TO and challenge?

Obviously can't do this on TDs, but one questionable catches, run your rear ends back to the line, and get a play off quickly!

[Deleterious]

I think the Saints are the best home team in the NFL. They were 5-3 on the road with a loss to the Rams and Bucs. So I think the status quo for Brees and Co. will unfold this Saturday, I do not think they can win at either SF or GB.

If the Lions can upset the Saints in NO, then they can beat anybody.

You use two poor loses to say the Saints cant beat GB or SF on the road. Then you say the Lions can beat anyone, even though those same two same teams beat the Lions at home? Toss in the fact the Lions haven't beat a playoff team at home or on the road this year and its even more confusing.

Ooops, they beat Denver. My bad.

[John_Brian_K]

I'm not (quite) to that point. I still get excited, but then after cheering, I always start looking around for a flag or something because I always do wonder...

How long have you really cared about the team? Just curious because I am on year 20...and that is 20 straight. I have had the rug pulled out (just on individual plays alone) more than I can recall and the feeling sucks...I am getting desesitized...I still care and want them to win, but I am losing the passion because it is tiring.

[nd1377]

You use two poor loses to say the Saints cant beat GB or SF on the road. Then you say the Lions can beat anyone, even though those same two same teams beat the Lions at home? Toss in the fact the Lions haven't beat a playoff team at home or on the road this year and its even more confusing.

Ooops, they destroyed and obliterated Denver at Denver. My bad.

I fixed it for you.

The SF game was interesting and could have gone both ways like a lot of games in an NFL season.


The questions for the game are will Drew Brees play as well as Matt Flynn did and will Detroit's secondary play as bad as they did against GB?

[RedRamage]

How long have you really cared about the team? Just curious because I am on year 20...and that is 20 straight. I have had the rug pulled out (just on individual plays alone) more than I can recall and the feeling sucks...I am getting desesitized...I still care and want them to win, but I am losing the passion because it is tiring.

Hmm... somewhere between 15 and 19 years I guess? I wasn't a football fan at all in the 80s... not much of a sports fan at all then really, 'cept for 1984 when everyone in Michigan was a Tigers fan. Started following in the early Sanders years when my brothers were talking about how amazing he was. Then I was hooked.

I think the issues with everything being review is a lot more recent then. Flags, yeah... always been those. But the reviewing process... it's just to broken by strict language and odd interpretations. It really can be done much simpler in my opinion. Just review the dang thing and make the call based on what's seen in the review. I don't think anyone will question that you can see more and pay attention more to little details in the review than what can be seen in real time. So the reviewer should look at the play independent of what is called on the field, in my opinion.

[RedRamage]

You use two poor loses to say the Saints cant beat GB or SF on the road. Then you say the Lions can beat anyone, even though those same two same teams beat the Lions at home? Toss in the fact the Lions haven't beat a playoff team at home or on the road this year and its even more confusing.

I fully expect for the Lions to lose this Saturday. BUT, I'm okay with that. Three years ago we, literally, couldn't beat anyone. Two years ago we could only win by getting lucky. Last year we started winning against the poorer teams in the league, and got luck against some average or good ones. This year we're only losing to the higher end teams and occasionally some bad ones.

We're developing... we're getting better each year. Playoffs this year, maybe win a couple of playoff games next year... be elite after that. Yeah, I know it's not a given, but I'm hopeful.

[Deleterious]

I fully expect for the Lions to lose this Saturday. BUT, I'm okay with that. Three years ago we, literally, couldn't beat anyone. Two years ago we could only win by getting lucky. Last year we started winning against the poorer teams in the league, and got luck against some average or good ones. This year we're only losing to the higher end teams and occasionally some bad ones.

We're developing... we're getting better each year. Playoffs this year, maybe win a couple of playoff games next year... be elite after that. Yeah, I know it's not a given, but I'm hopeful.

I know my post looked like I was knocking the Lions, but I really wasn't. As a Lion fan of 30+ years, nobody is more thrilled than me that we can discuss if they will win or lose. They could lose by 50 Saturday and I'm still happy with the season and direction of the team.

[John_Brian_K]

I fixed it for you.

The SF game was interesting and could have gone both ways like a lot of games in an NFL season.


The questions for the game are will Drew Brees play as well as Matt Flynn did and will Detroit's secondary play as bad as they did against GB?

I keep hearing this 'look what a backup did....Brees will kill them!' and I think it is crap....any given Sunday a Matt Flynn can have a career day and Brees can throw for 320 with 3 picks. Plus Flynn made some good throws in tight spots...he was locked in.

As far as the secondary....as long as Delmas is back and he brings Berry with him we should be better....that doesn't mean we can or will stop them, but we WILL be better.

[John_Brian_K]

You use two poor loses to say the Saints cant beat GB or SF on the road. Then you say the Lions can beat anyone, even though those same two same teams beat the Lions at home? Toss in the fact the Lions haven't beat a playoff team at home or on the road this year and its even more confusing.

Ooops, they beat Denver. My bad.

Maybe he just thinks SF and the Pack are better than the Saints....

You have to include the 'any given Sunday' idea......there have been plenty of 'upsets' this year...all over the league..

Just this past week the Jets lost to Miami
The Colts the week before that
The Bears smoked the Lions in week 10

It happens all the time....I think some of us are optimistic/realistic some are pessimistic/realsitic and some are just lovers and haters. I am in the first category.

[John_Brian_K]

I keep hearing this 'look what a backup did....Brees will kill them!' and I think it is crap....any given Sunday a Matt Flynn can have a career day and Brees can throw for 320 with 3 picks. Plus Flynn made some good throws in tight spots...he was locked in.

As far as the secondary....as long as Delmas is back and he brings Berry with him we should be better....that doesn't mean we can or will stop them, but we WILL be better.

To add to this: Anyone that thinks ANY player will have a superior day to 136.4 in rating 480 6 and 1 is crazy.

Let me put it this way:

I will bet 100.00 right now that Brees will not exceed 136.4 QB rating verse Detroit this weekend.

[Gehringer_2]

I keep hearing this 'look what a backup did....Brees will kill them!' and I think it is crap....any given Sunday a Matt Flynn can have a career day and Brees can throw for 320 with 3 picks. Plus Flynn made some good throws in tight spots...he was locked in.

As far as the secondary....as long as Delmas is back and he brings Berry with him we should be better....that doesn't mean we can or will stop them, but we WILL be better.

Not to mention GB has a record of having a pretty good backup QB behind their starter.....

[JAYB]

27-24 Lions in OT

Lions control the clock, D stays fresh. Titus has a huge game.

Go Lions!