NFL: New Orleans Sants 35 Detroit Lions 27 recap and analysis

The game started with both defense conceding nothing for over 7 minutes until the Lions got the ball close to midfield and with just one reception by Megatron followed by a silly penalty by Browner the arrived close to the end zone where on 3rd down they scored on an out route by Tate on a spread formation. The Saints tried to answer back and they did partially thanks to a very good Brees who moved the ball well both passing and running but once in Lions territory his receivers haven't been able to get free from the good man to man coverages by the Lions defensive backs so they had to kick a FG to cut the deficit. Stafford drove his team down field again thanks to another big play this time to TE Ebron who beat the coverage and run well down the sideline, once in the redzone a well designed play action pass from the strong formation to the rookie FB Burton who run a flat route to the right side resulted in another TD for the visitors. The Lions extended their lead with the first balanced drive of the game being able to involve their HBs on it on both passing and running game with good result, once again in the redzone with the spread formation Tate has been the difference maker beating the zone defense with an in-route resulted in his second TD of the game. On the last drive of the first half the Saints entered in the end zone 2 times but each time a penalty denied them the TD and the result has been no points for them on this drive.

Detroit started well even the second half moving the ball so well due to the great job on screen passes involving Tate and this time has been Abdullah the one who scored the TD for them on an outside run to the weak side. Brees reaction has been explosive marching down field with few long passes being able to target different receivers and finally score their first TD of the game on a deep pass to Cooks who crossed his route at the beginning with Snead to confuse the Lions secondary. The Saints scored other 10 straight points, the first 3 thanks to a drive characterized by Snead receptions on crossing and slants route and the other 7 thanks to the great starting field position due to the Abdullah's fumble which gifted the ball to the Saints right from the Lions' 40 yard line, once there Brees had no difficulties to reach the end zone thanks to the great job of all his WRs to get free of the coverages and this allowed him to find Colston on a comeback route inside the number who easily reached the end zone untouched with few steps. Rookie HB Abdullah redeemed himself in the moment when his team needed most  avoiding another scoreless drive extending the drive with a great run for over 30 yards on a well designed pitch run from the strong formation, once in the Saints territory Stafford regains his rythmym and found Ebron between the number who came just inches short of the end zone, Joique Bell took care of the ball and scored on a dive run from the I formation.

The Saints risked to win this game even playing an awful first half where the Lions dominated them especially on offense due to the weak defense against the passes of the hometeam who shown good passrushing but not coverage, on the other side the Lions struggles to close this game out, again abdullah lost a fumble (his 5th of the season) and the not perfect physical condition of Megatron limited them in most of situations, their defense mde a very good job stopping the running game but once Brees spreaded out the formation and played more shotgun they have been in huge trouble covering their WRs down field.

MVP: Tate