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NEW ORLEANS
DETROIT |
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| 467 | NEW ORLEANS | 51 | 46.5 | | 468 | DETROIT | -2.5 | -2 |
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| All Games | 2-3 | -3 | 1-4 | 4-1 | 26.4 | 11.2 | 442.8 | (6.4) | 2.0 | 28.2 | 13.2 | 379.6 | (6.2) | 0.4 | | Road Games | 0-3 | -5 | 0-3 | 3-0 | 25.0 | 10.0 | 435.7 | (6.7) | 2.3 | 33.7 | 16.7 | 445.7 | (6.6) | 0.3 | | Last 3 Games | 2-1 | +0.5 | 1-2 | 2-1 | 24.7 | 8.7 | 448.3 | (6.4) | 2.0 | 26.0 | 13.3 | 335.3 | (6) | 0.3 | | Dome Games | 2-1 | +0.5 | 1-2 | 2-1 | 30.3 | 15.3 | 459.7 | (6.2) | 1.7 | 25.7 | 8.7 | 376.3 | (6.5) | 0.7 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 26.4 | 11.2 | 27.4 | 31:55 | 26-133 | (5.2) | 30-44 | 68.8% | 310 | (7.1) | 69-443 | (6.4) | (16.8) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 26 | 14.7 | 21.2 | 31:01 | 29-130 | (4.5) | 22-34 | 66.0% | 254 | (7.5) | 63-385 | (6.1) | (14.8) | | Offense Road Games | 25.0 | 10.0 | 25.3 | 29:10 | 23-139 | (6.1) | 29-42 | 69.8% | 297 | (7.1) | 65-436 | (6.7) | (17.4) | | Defense (All Games) | 28.2 | 13.2 | 21.6 | 29:33 | 27-112 | (4.2) | 23-35 | 64.6% | 268 | (7.6) | 62-380 | (6.2) | (13.5) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 23.8 | 9.9 | 20.7 | 29:28 | 27-124 | (4.6) | 21-34 | 61.9% | 239 | (7) | 61-362 | (5.9) | (15.2) | | Defense Road Games | 33.7 | 16.7 | 25.0 | 31:24 | 30-145 | (4.8) | 26-38 | 68.1% | 301 | (8) | 68-446 | (6.6) | (13.2) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.2 | 0.8 | 2.0 | -1.6 | 12-7 | 54.8% | 0-0 | 50.0% | 2-37 | (23.1) | 1-4 | (4) | 4-33 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 13-6 | 44.7% | 1-0 | 46.0% | 2-40 | (22) | 17-2 | (8.8) | 7-61 | | Stats For (Road Games) | 1.0 | 1.3 | 2.3 | -2.0 | 12-6 | 52.8% | 1-0 | 50.0% | 1-32 | (24.2) | 1-6 | (5.7) | 4-29 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.4 | | 13-6 | 46.2% | 0-0 | 100.0% | 2-57 | (25.7) | 1-5 | (3.6) | 8-67 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.4 | | 12-5 | 41.8% | 1-0 | 40.4% | 3-60 | (23.4) | 15-2 | (8.2) | 7-58 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | | 14-7 | 51.2% | 1-1 | 100.0% | 1-29 | (22) | 1-1 | (1.5) | 7-59 |
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| All Games | 4-2 | +1.3 | 4-2 | 1-5 | 19.3 | 11.2 | 328.5 | (5.3) | 1.3 | 13.7 | 4.3 | 270.7 | (4.7) | 1.5 | | Home Games | 2-1 | +0.2 | 2-1 | 1-2 | 22.7 | 13.3 | 344.3 | (5.6) | 1.7 | 12.7 | 5.7 | 254.3 | (4.5) | 1.3 | | Last 3 Games | 2-1 | +0.3 | 2-1 | 0-3 | 18.3 | 13.7 | 292.7 | (5.1) | 0.7 | 12.3 | 2.0 | 297.0 | (4.9) | 2.0 | | Dome Games | 2-1 | +0.2 | 2-1 | 1-2 | 22.7 | 13.3 | 344.3 | (5.6) | 1.7 | 12.7 | 5.7 | 254.3 | (4.5) | 1.3 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 19.3 | 11.2 | 18.3 | 33:19 | 27-86 | (3.2) | 22-35 | 62.3% | 242 | (6.9) | 62-328 | (5.3) | (17) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 23.7 | 12.2 | 20.6 | 31:45 | 27-114 | (4.2) | 23-35 | 64.4% | 241 | (6.9) | 62-355 | (5.7) | (15) | | Offense Home Games | 22.7 | 13.3 | 18.0 | 33:59 | 29-87 | (3) | 21-32 | 63.9% | 258 | (8) | 62-344 | (5.6) | (15.2) | | Defense (All Games) | 13.7 | 4.3 | 16.8 | 26:41 | 22-73 | (3.3) | 21-34 | 60.9% | 197 | (5.7) | 57-271 | (4.7) | (19.8) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 21.1 | 10 | 19.6 | 30:49 | 27-109 | (4) | 21-34 | 61.4% | 217 | (6.3) | 61-325 | (5.3) | (15.4) | | Defense Home Games | 12.7 | 5.7 | 16.3 | 26:01 | 22-59 | (2.7) | 21-34 | 62.1% | 195 | (5.7) | 56-254 | (4.5) | (20.1) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 14-6 | 40.2% | 1-0 | 50.0% | 1-21 | (24.8) | 2-29 | (11.5) | 6-49 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 1.1 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 13-6 | 42.3% | 1-0 | 48.0% | 2-39 | (23.4) | 19-2 | (9.1) | 7-62 | | Stats For (Home Games) | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.7 | -0.3 | 15-7 | 50.0% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 1-19 | (28) | 2-25 | (10.7) | 7-62 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 1.2 | 0.3 | 1.5 | | 13-4 | 31.2% | 1-0 | 40.0% | 1-21 | (21) | 3-22 | (7.9) | 6-44 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.2 | | 14-6 | 40.6% | 1-0 | 46.3% | 2-60 | (24.2) | 15-2 | (7.6) | 7-60 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 1.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | | 13-4 | 30.8% | 1-1 | 50.0% | 1-22 | (21.7) | 2-24 | (10.4) | 7-43 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: NEW ORLEANS 17.8, DETROIT 18.7 |
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| 9/7/2014 | @ ATLANTA | 34-37 | L | -3 | L | 51 | O | 28-139 | 29-42-333 | 2 | 25-123 | 31-43-445 | 1 | | 9/14/2014 | @ CLEVELAND | 24-26 | L | -5 | L | 49 | O | 27-174 | 27-40-223 | 2 | 30-122 | 24-41-202 | 0 | | 9/21/2014 | MINNESOTA | 20-9 | W | -9.5 | W | 49.5 | U | 32-108 | 27-35-288 | 0 | 22-59 | 17-30-188 | 0 | | 9/28/2014 | @ DALLAS | 17-38 | L | -3 | L | 53.5 | O | 13-104 | 32-44-334 | 3 | 35-190 | 22-29-255 | 0 | | 10/5/2014 | TAMPA BAY | 37-31 | W | -11 | L | 47 | O | 29-140 | 35-57-371 | 3 | 21-66 | 19-32-248 | 1 | | 10/19/2014 | @ DETROIT | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/26/2014 | GREEN BAY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/30/2014 | @ CAROLINA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/9/2014 | SAN FRANCISCO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/16/2014 | CINCINNATI | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 9/8/2014 | NY GIANTS | 35-14 | W | -6.5 | W | 45.5 | O | 30-76 | 22-32-341 | 0 | 22-53 | 18-33-144 | 2 | | 9/14/2014 | @ CAROLINA | 7-24 | L | 1.5 | L | 43 | U | 18-70 | 27-48-253 | 3 | 24-62 | 22-34-251 | 0 | | 9/21/2014 | GREEN BAY | 19-7 | W | -1 | W | 51.5 | U | 38-115 | 22-34-238 | 3 | 22-76 | 16-27-147 | 1 | | 9/28/2014 | @ NY JETS | 24-17 | W | 2 | W | 43 | U | 27-88 | 24-34-272 | 0 | 27-132 | 17-33-204 | 2 | | 10/5/2014 | BUFFALO | 14-17 | L | -4.5 | L | 43 | U | 20-69 | 18-31-194 | 2 | 22-49 | 30-43-294 | 1 | | 10/12/2014 | @ MINNESOTA | 17-3 | W | 1 | W | 43 | U | 28-100 | 19-33-155 | 0 | 18-69 | 23-37-143 | 3 | | 10/19/2014 | NEW ORLEANS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/26/2014 | *ATLANTA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/9/2014 | MIAMI | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/16/2014 | @ ARIZONA | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | NEW ORLEANS: The Saints' running game is a Frankenstein of a series of other offenses, but its basis is in between-the-tackles power. Pierre Thomas might lead the backfield committee in playing time, but the running game is better suited for big bruising backs like Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson. They'll rotate the three on early downs with Thomas staying on the field for most passing downs. Thomas is at his best on stretch plays that move the opposing front seven laterally, while the other two will work a lot of inside zone runs. Thomas got most of the carries inside the 20 last season, but Ingram started to eat into those red-zone touches late in the year once he was healthy.
The Saints will run the same kind of pass-happy, spread offense they have run since 2007. Tight end Jimmy Graham is the focal point of the passing game, flexing out and working the deep seam. Drew Brees will look for him any time Graham gets single-coverage, and often when he's double-covered too. He is by far the Saints' top option in the red zone. Marques Colston works downfield on the perimeter, as Brees reads high-to-low. Kenny Stills and Brandin Cooks will mix in as home-run hitters, and Cooks could see some of the catch-and-run work that used to go to Darren Sproles. Thomas, one of the NFL's best in the screen game, will see increased usage through the air with Sproles gone.
Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan transformed one of the worst defenses ever in 2012 to a unit that finished fourth among NFL defenses in yards, points and sacks. The addition of FS Jairus Boyd and CB Champ Bailey will help pass-rushing studs DE Cameron Jordan (12.5 sacks) and OLB Junior Galette (12 sacks) get more sacks. | | DETROIT: New offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi will call the plays, and he has said that he's essentially bringing the Saints' playbook to Detroit. That should mean a diverse running game that borrows concepts from across the league. Reggie Bush will likely retain his spot atop the Lions' backfield committee, as Detroit still figures to be a pass- first offense. Joique Bell has the size and power skill set to be an asset on the inside zone runs that figure to be heavily featured this season. Bush and Bell often split the red-zone snaps a year ago, though the more durable Bell more often gets the call on the goal line.
The Lions figure to be pass-happy as usual under Lombardi and new head coach Jim Caldwell. They'll continue to move Calvin Johnson around the formation to keep teams from keying on him. Golden Tate will provide a deep threat on the other side of the field, and the Lions will frequently use the screen game with Bush and Bell. They also figure to use two tight ends more often than three-wide. TE Brandon Pettigrew is more of an in-line blocker and underneath threat, while rookie TE Eric Ebron is the chess piece who will be flexed out to create mismatches. He could be the No. 2 target by the season's second half. Not surprisingly, Johnson is almost always their first look when they throw near the goal line. Coverage often dictates if they'll look elsewhere. Pettigrew had been a traditional play-action target under the old regime, and he and Ebron are red-zone threats.
After posting a mere 39 turnovers and 67 sacks in the past two years combined, new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin was hired in the offseason to help this team make more plays with his ultra- aggressive style. New starters, safety James Ihedigbo and rookie linebacker Kyle Van Noy should help an underachieving front four. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (NEW ORLEANS-DETROIT) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(UPDATES Graham's status)
*Saints-Lions Preview* ======================
By JORDAN GARRETSON STATS Writer
Drew Brees has torched Detroit in the past, but these Lions aren't playing like the team the rest of the NFL has gotten used to seeing.
Boasting the top-ranked defense in the league, the Lions are tied for first place in their division despite the struggles of their usually high-powered offense, and they'll look to keep Brees and the visiting New Orleans Saints in check Sunday.
Brees is 4-0 as a starter against the Lions, completing 75.2 percent of his passes for an average of 379.3 yards with 14 TDs and one interception for a 133.8 rating. He threw for 466 yards and three TDs in a 45-28 wild-card victory over Detroit on Jan. 7, 2012.
Brees' 7.2 yards per attempt is his lowest mark in four years, though he ranks second in the league with 314.8 yards per game. The Saints (2-3) are No. 2 in offense at 442.8.
Detroit (4-2), however, is allowing 270.7 yards per game, its best mark since 1977, and finds itself tied with Green Bay atop the NFC North.
The Lions recorded a season-low 255 yards of offense and converted one of 13 third downs - leaving them at 2 for 24 in the last two weeks - but defeated Minnesota 17-3 on Sunday. Detroit held the Vikings to 212 yards and forced three turnovers.
"All we've got to do is keep doing what we're doing," end Jason Jones said. "We're hungry this year. This is a great opportunity for us."
The Saints come off a bye following a 37-31 home win over Tampa Bay on Oct. 5, but they've lost six straight and eight of nine away from home, going 0-3 this season with two blown fourth-quarter leads. They haven't dropped seven consecutive road games since a 14-game road skid Oct. 18, 1998-Jan. 2, 2000.
"The record is 2-3. Do I think we're better than that? Yes," said center Jonathan Goodwin, expected to return after leaving with a bruised knee against the Buccaneers. "But that's what our record is and we can't change that. But I've still got a lot of confidence in this team, still think we can get some things done this year."
It might be tougher to pull things together Sunday if Jimmy Graham doesn't play. The star tight end is battling a shoulder injury, which prompted him to exit in the first quarter versus Tampa Bay.
Graham expects his playing status to be decided by coach Sean Payton shortly before the game. He practiced this week on a limited basis and is listed as questionable.
"We'll see on Sunday. I actually don't know," Graham said Friday. "Sean said he's going to test it and then see where I'm at. So if I can, I can. If I can't, I can't."
The Saints set a season high for points and yards with 511 against the Buccaneers without Graham, though their defense continued to struggle. They're allowing 379.6 yards per game to rank 23rd, a year after limiting opponents to 305.7 a contest to finish fourth.
New Orleans is tied for third to last with six sacks after their 49 last season were the fourth most in the NFL. Junior Galette and Cameron Jordan have combined for four after totaling 24 1/2 in 2013.
The lack of pressure has resulted in the Saints forcing only one interception, and opposing quarterbacks have posted a 103.2 rating - seventh highest in the league.
"Sacks truly affect quarterbacks' mindsets," Jordan said. "If you put pressure on him, he's uncomfortable. If you sack him, it can change games."
Detroit's Calvin Johnson missed his third regular-season game since the start of 2011 with a high ankle sprain. Coach Jim Caldwell told the league's official website Johnson could miss Sunday's game as well as next week's before the club's Week 9 bye.
The Lions badly need their top receiver on the field to help their 23rd-ranked offense (330.2 ypg). They averaged 399.0 over the past three seasons, never finishing worse than sixth.
Matthew Stafford is on pace for his fewest passing yards in a full season, though he also is in line for a career low in interceptions.
"I came in with the idea that we're going to try to make certain that this team is more about winning than about statistical milestones and I think that's the most important thing that you have to look at," Caldwell said.
Detroit's Reggie Bush sat out last week with an ankle injury but practiced Wednesday ahead of his first meeting with his former team. Bush totaled 4,232 yards of offense and 29 TDs in his first five seasons with the Saints after being selected No. 2 overall in 2006.
Game Notes: |
| | Last Updated: 4/20/2024 12:25:21 AM EST. |
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