Detroit Lions Dominate All Phases In Win Over New Orleans

Injury Report: Washington, Diggs leave injured

After picking up 21 yards on seven carries and 19 yards on two receptions, running back Dwayne Washington left the game with an ankle injury. He was called questionable and did not return, Zach Zenner picking up the carries for the offense.

Cornerback Quandre Diggs left the game with a shoulder injury in the second half and was being examined by trainers. He was declared questionable as well and did not return. Linebacker Josh Bynes left briefly in the second half but returned a couple of plays later.

Lions catch first-half breaks for early lead

The Lions caught their fair share of good bounces in the first half of Sunday’s game, starting with the Saints’ first possession. On third down, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees had trouble with the snap on third down, ending up with an intentional grounding penalty and the Saints punted.

On the ensuing drive for the Lions, T.J. Jones dropped a high pass from Stafford and the ball nearly ended up in the arms of Saints cornerback Sterling Moore, who was already running towards the endzone, but he dropped it. The Lions scored a field goal three plays later to take the lead.

A close defensive pass interference call on New Orleans cornerback Delvin Breaux extended a Detroit drive after a third-down incompletion, and the Lions again scored a field goal on the possession. Finally, the last drive of the first half, Saints tight end Coby Fleener dropped a would-be touchdown at the goal line, which caused New Orleans to settle for a field goal.

Highlights Of The Week

After the Saints scored a touchdown to draw within one possession, the Lions’ offense responded in a huge way, Matthew Stafford completing a 66-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate on third down to open up a two-possession lead. Tate finished with eight receptions for 145 yards and the touchdown.

The Lions’ defense came through with three interceptions of Drew Brees on Sunday, beginning with Glover Quin’s athletic pick which stopped the Saints and set up the Detroit with a short field.

Matthew Stafford giving 91-year-old team owner Martha Ford a hug after the game will never not be adorable. No doubt she wishes her late husband William Clay Ford Sr. could have seen this team and their success as they chase their first division title since 1993.

Playoff Race Update

The Detroit Lions are now the third seed in the NFC playoff picture. They hold a two-game lead in the NFC North after the Minnesota Vikings (6-6) lost to the Dallas Cowboys (11-1) on Thursday Night Football, 17-15. The Green Bay Packers (6-6) stayed within two games with a 21-13 win in the snow over the Houston Texans (6-6). The Chicago Bears (3-9) defeated the hapless San Francisco 49ers (1-11) 26-6 at home, but have no mathematical chance of winning the division.

In the wildcard race, the leading New York Giants (8-3) trail the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) 14-0 at halftime as of this writing. Second-place Washington (6-4-1) trails the Arizona Cardinals (4-6-1) 10-6 at halftime as well. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) also trail at halftime, down 14-7 to the San Diego Chargers (5-6) and the Philadelphia Eagles (5-7) lost 32-14 to the Cincinnati Bengals (4-7-1).

The NFC West leaders and current number-two seed Seattle Seahawks (7-3-1) host the Carolina Panthers (4-7) tonight at 8:30 on Sunday Night Football on NBC. The NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons (7-5) lost 29-28 to the Kansas City Chiefs (9-3) today and are currently the fourth seed.

Next: Detroit Lions Week 13 Game Ball - Golden Tate

Up Next

The Lions will host the Chicago Bears next week at 1:00 on CBS.