Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints: What to watch for in week 6

After a tough loss last week, let’s look at some keys to the Detroit Lions matchup this week against the New Orleans Saints.

In week 5, the Detroit Lions struggled a lot. They looked rough for most of the game, until the fourth quarter when Matthew Stafford and co. tried to do their normal fourth quarter thing. Unfortunately, they fell short.

This week the Lions head to New Orleans to take on Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. Let’s look at some things to focus on for this football game.

1. What’s up with Stafford?

On the Lions final drive last week they were able to score a touchdown, but not without Stafford noticeably hobbling off of the field. And the Lions are never a team to show what’s going on with the health of their players. So we really have no idea how injured Stafford actually is.

But we have learned that Stafford will be playing on Sunday. His level of play will be questionable though as I doubt he’s 100%. It’s been a long time since the Lions have been without Stafford. If he gets knocked out for multiple games it would be very problematic for the Lions playoff chances.

I think Stafford makes it through the entire game but doesn’t look great as the game comes to a close.

2. A’Shawn’s time to shine

With Haloti Ngata placed on IR, A’Shawn Robinson is going to be the main defensive tackle this week. Honestly, this might be his coming out party as the top defensive tackle for the Lions for years to come.

Robinson has all the talent to be a plug in the middle, but I think he’s still too raw to be the guy. And I guess the best way to get better is by being thrown into the mix. A’Shawn may have some struggles early on, but by the end of the year, I think he’ll be playing like a stud.

I mean, if anything we’ll get to see a bunch of big-man swatted passes throughout the season.

3. Does the defense bounce back?

Cam Newton had an MVP-like performance against the Lions last week. On Thursday Night Football he played like a scrub. So some of the credit on that great against the Lions has to go to defensive struggles.

I thought that having Jarrad Davis back would have helped, but it really didn’t matter. Honestly, nobody had a particularly good game, as the Lions failed to create a turnover for the first time all season. (Okay, Glover Quin played well, but I also don’t think he’s had a bad game in years.)

Next: 10 keys for a week 6 win over the Saints

Drew Brees is going to get a lot of yards and probably throw for a few touchdowns on Sunday. But he’s also going to take some shots down the field, which is where the Lions have to create something. If the safeties just stay back and do their thing, I think that the Lions will at least have a turnover or two. Then it just depends on what the offense can actually do this week.