Game Recap: Saints Visit Lions In Season Opener

The New Orleans Saints were looking to pull off a road upset against the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a recap of all the action.

First Quarter

The hosts got the ball to begin the game and went three-and-out. But the Saints didn’t fare much better on their opening series, with a 9-yard pass from Tyler Shough to Devaughn Vele marking the only first-down gain of the drive.

Jared Goff and the Lions offense proceeded to get going on their second possession. A 19-yard connection with Sam LaPorta preceded a pair of big bursting runs from Jahmyr Gibbs to put Detroit in the red zone.

From there, the Lions capitalised, with a 1-yard score from Gibbs capping off an 89-yard touchdown drive.

Second Quarter

The teams then exchanged a number of punts as the game moved into the second quarter. Shough did find Chris Olave on a few big throws, though the Saints never moved into scoring position.

Detroit would then turn it over through a Gibbs fumble after a successful Saints challenge, but the visitors returned the favor when Shough threw an interception a few plays later.

The Lions went three-and-out again, pinning New Orleans deep in their own half. Shough was able to move the drive past midfield with a 19-yard throw to Bryce Lance, but a sack a few plays later from Aidan Hutchinson forced a Saints punt just before the half.

Third Quarter

Trailing 7-0, Shough threw another interception on the first play of the second half.

Detroit took advantage of the short field as Gibbs continued to punish the Saints defense, breaking off for an 18-yard run before eventually running in another 1-yard score to push the lead to 14-0.

Shough proceeded to fumble early on the ensuing possession to give the Lions yet another short field. Goff connected with Amon-Ra St Brown for a 19-yard touchdown pass to give Detroit a 21-0 advantage.

Then, at last, the Saints offense burst into life. A 47-yard pass to Olave and a 9-yard throw to Noah Fant put the black and gold on the edge of the red zone.

A few plays later, including a third-down scramble from Shough for a first down, Kendre Miller ran in an 8-yard touchdown to get the visitors on the board.

The Saints defense responded with a perfect series of their own, forcing a three-and-out.

Shough picked up where he left off, completing his first three throws of the ensuing drive for 31 yards. A defensive pass interference call put the Saints down at the 1-yard line, before Shough found Vele for his first touchdown pass of the season to cut into the lead again.

Fourth Quarter

Now leading just 21-14, Goff and the Lions were forced into another quick punt.

The Saints offense continued their momentum, as Travis Etienne ran for 14 yards to begin another scoring series. Shough’s 31-yard connection with Vele put the visitors in the red zone, though this time they were held to a field goal attempt.

Daniel Carlson’s 28-yard chip shot put the score at 21-17.

Having nearly blown their lead entirely, the Lions at last found some life. A facemask penalty against Tyree Wilson meant they began their drive at midfield.

Gibbs continued to have success running the football, but the Saints defense did manage to hold Detroit to a field goal. Jake Bates’ 23-yard kick put the lead back to seven, at 24-17.

Needing a touchdown to tie the game, the Saints quickly found themselves on 4th-and-12 with the game on the line. Shough delivered, finding Lance for 15 yards.

He connected with Vele on the next play for another first down, and then connected with Olave on another bomb for a 42-yard gain. Juwan Johnson caught the 9-yard touchdown pass a play later, and the extra point tied the game at 24-24.

With just over a minute remaining, Detroit would go three-and-out, giving New Orleans a slim chance at winning the game in regulation after an Etienne run and an 18-yard catch from Johnson gave Shough time to spike the ball for a long field goal.

But Carlson’s 62-yard effort went wide right as the clock expired.

Overtime

The Saints deferred to Detroit, who put together a 70-yard touchdown drive highlighted by a 22-yard pass from Goff to Jameson Williams to set up 1st-and-goal. St Brown caught the touchdown pass to put the Lions up 31-24.

Needing a touchdown of their own, Shough threw for 20 yards to Olave on another fourth-down conversion as the Saints moved past midfield. He found Fant for 10 yards amidst short runs from Miller and Etienne, before finding Johnson for 27 yards to set up 1st-and-goal.

It was Fant again who caught the 8-yard touchdown pass to put New Orleans down by just a point.

Kellen Moore elected to go for two and the win, as opposed to tying the game and giving Detroit a chance to score again.

But the Lions defense prevailed, as Shough’s pass intended for Lance had almost no chance. Despite a resilient comeback effort from the black and gold, the Lions emerged victorious, 31-30.

If it’s any consolation, all three NFC South rivals dropped their opening game on Sunday. Next up for the Saints is a visit to the Baltimore Ravens on September 20.