NFL Playoff Previews- Lions vs Saints

Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints (Saturday 8:00 ET)

by TJ Bertacchi

Every game in the NFL has its own dynamic to it. Some are defensive struggles and some produce more offense than the opposing defense can handle. Some have a dynamic special team?s play that swings the momentum and some come down to one bone headed play at the end. Whatever the dynamic is, every game has something. In this Lions vs. Saints game the dynamic is very simple, they?re going to score, and they?re going to score often. These two teams have mastered the art of the pass as well as anyone throughout the year and because of it both defensive coordinators need to be on full alert with the world class players each team possesses.

The Lions, while on the bottom end of the totem pole in wins in recent years have managed to accumulate a vast array of talent over the years. Whether it?s Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford, Ndamukong Suh or Brandon Pettigrew the recent drafts have been kind to the Lions. The team finished 10-6 in a division that saw the Green Bay Packers go 15-1 and the Bears get off to an impressive 7-3 record before boom went the dynamite at the end of their season. Defensively the Lions weren?t anything to brag about, (22nd against the pass and 23rd against the run) however, offensively is where they produced video game type numbers. Matthew Stafford became just the fifth quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards (5,038) including five games of over 370 yards this season. Calvin Johnson (aka Megatron) finished off his masterpiece of a season with over 1,600 yards and a league best 16 touchdowns. The Lions as a team scored 24 or more points 11 out of 16 weeks including four games of at least 45 points.

The thing is, as good as the Lions have been offensively, the Saints have been even better. Matthew Stafford threw for 5,038 yards but Drew Brees threw for 5,476 yards. Even though Calvin Johnson had 1,681 yards receiving, he was the only receiver to go over 1000 yards on his team. The Saints had two receivers go over 1,000 yards not to mention a running back in Darren Sproles getting over 700 yards. The Saints were a masterpiece to watch offensively, especially at home, where this game is taking place. At home the Saints were undefeated and outscored their opponents 329-143. That?s an average beating of 41-18 each game. Drew Brees has never thrown for less than 250 yards at home and in six of the eight home games he?s thrown for over 300 yards.

Last week the Saints and the Lions both scored over 40 points in games where defensive coordinators were rarely seen and hardly thought of. While both teams can score a ton of points don?t look for the plethora of points to continue for the Lions. In six of the eight home games the Saints have allowed 17 points or less including games against the Falcons, Bears and this same Lions team. There?s something about the noise inside the Superdome that gets to opposing teams. Once Drew Brees has the momentum going in that dome, it?s seemingly a done deal. Look for the Saints to have another breakout game against the Lions and look for the Superdome fans to lose their collective minds every time Brees completes a long pass to one of his receivers.

Source: http://www.mnscore.com/blog/?p=1274

gwar san diego weather tropic thunder justin bieber baby justin bieber baby credit unions tower heist reviews