Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints: DJC Writer Predictions
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Jock City writers make their predictions for the Detroit Lions’ week 13 road game against the New Orleans Saints.
Here is what the Detroit Jock City staff sees for the game ahead as the Lions try to keep a strangle hold of the NFC North race.
Erik Schlitt (5-6) – This match-up screams “SHOOT-OUT”. And with two of the best signal callers in the NFL, there will be plenty of points to be had. While Matthew Stafford and Drew Brees will be drawing the attention of most fans, this game will be won in the trenches. Control the line, and you control the tempo of the game.
Expect the Saints to try and get out to an early lead and force the Lions to play this game from behind. At home, they won’t mind getting into a scoring-fest. The Lions will do the opposite and try and slow the game down and limit the Saints number of possessions.
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Even with limited opportunities, I still expect both offenses to find the end zone multiple times. I think this one will be close late in the 4th quarter and if that happens, I can’t pick against the Lions. Until they prove otherwise, I’m predicting another one score game where the Lions come from behind again. Lions 31, Saints 28.
Zac Snyder (5-6) – The Detroit Lions’ new found ability to play a little defense, particularly by getting off the field on third down, will be put to the test this week. My confidence in the turnaround on that side of the ball isn’t enough to give me confidence to go against the betting line that favors the Saints. While the defense has been better of late, the offense hasn’t been scoring points at a pace necessary to keep up with the New Orleans Saints. Saints 31, Lions 27
Matt Snyder (4-7) – If the Lions can win this game against the Saints it would be incredibly difficult to imagine them not holding off the field and claiming their first division crown since 1993. But the closer they get, the more nervous I get. The Lions, you see, do not have a history of closing things out in a positive way. Saints 34, Lions 24
Matt Pelc (5-6) – If the Detroit Lions want to try to end the talk of the Green Bay Packers coming from far behind to steal the division away, they can do that with a road win over a good Saints team. The Superdome is no longer an unwinnable venue for visiting teams, as the Lions found out last year, but they’ll need their A game to get it done.
We haven’t seen the Lions in an offensive shootout in awhile but that’s what we will get today. And since I’ve picked against them often this season and they’ve won on most occasions, I’ll continue to do so to do my part. Saints 30, Lions 27.
Colton Wesley (6-5) – The Lions have been finding ways to win close games all season, but they have not faced Drew Brees and the New Orleans offense in the Superdome yet.
The Saints need a win to stay close in the wildcard race and the Superdome is not an easy place to play. New Orleans has a dynamic passing game with several talented pass-catchers, the Lions lack depth in the secondary and will likely be without both Tahir Whitehead and DeAndre Levy at linebacker. Coby Fleener might have a huge game as the Lions struggle to cover another athletic tight end.
Matthew Stafford and the offense should have a big day against a subpar Saints’ secondary. Even if Marvin Jones does not play, the Lions have enough guys to spread the ball around, but if any of the inconsistencies that have plagued the offense in recent weeks emerge and the Saints jump out in front early, the Lions’ defense might not be strong enough to get the big stop they have been dependant upon to win games in the fourth quarter.
I can see this one becoming a shootout, and if it does, Brees and the talented Saints offense will likely be more consistent and effective than the Lions’ offense will be, which is enough to give them the edge. Saints win, 31-24.
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