Lions vs. Saints preview: Force Brees into mistakes
James Hawkins breaks down Sunday's Lions-Saints game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome (1 p.m., Fox/WJR).
Saints to watch
Drew Brees, QB: The NFL’s leading passer is coming off his best performance — 28-for-36, five total TDs (four passing, one rushing). Brees’ totals — 3,587 yards, 30 TDs. In five career regular-season games against the Lions, he is averaging 347 yards and three TDs per game.
Michael Thomas, WR: The rookie from Ohio State has emerged as the team’s top option in its fierce passing attack. Thomas is tied for sixth in the NFL in receiving TDs (seven), seventh in receptions (65) and eighth in receptions of 20-plus yards (13).
Mark Ingram, RB: The Flint product is averaging a career-best 5.3 yards per carry and has a team-high 721 yards rushing. Ingram has rushed for more than 140 yards in two of the last four games. He has also established himself as a viable passing threat with 30 catches for 248 yards and four TDs.
Intangibles
Airing it out: Led by QB Drew Brees, the Saints are No. 1 in total offense (434.1 yards) and passing offense (319.5 yards), and No. 2 in scoring (30.4). New Orleans has no shortage of weapons, including a talented receiving core of Brandin Cooks, Michael Thomas and Willie Snead (Muskegon Heights), who all have at least 51 receptions, 593 yards receiving and four TDs.
Take it on the road: Forcing a turnover or two and keeping the Saints offense on the sideline is vital. That’s easier said than done considering the Lions have forced 11 turnovers, but only one on the road.
Detroit News predictions: Lions vs. Saints
Close calls: Every Lions game has been decided by seven points or less, but the Saints have been in eight one-score games and are 3-5, with four losses coming by three points or less.
‘D’ resurgence: The Lions allowed an average of 25.5 points the first six games, but over the past five, have given up an average of 17 and have held opponents to 20 points or less in five consecutive games.
Finish strong: The Lions (7-4) remain atop the NFC North ahead of the Vikings (6-6), Packers (5-6) and Bears (2-9) with five games remaining in the season. Detroit’s remaining opponents have a combined record of 31-25.
Facts and figures
■ The Saints offense is No. 1 in third-down percentage (50 percent) and third in-red zone efficiency (70.2 percent).
■ According to makenflplayoffs-.com, the Lions have a 76.2 percent chance of reaching the postseason and a 70.7 percent chance of winning their first division title since 1993.
■ The Lions are one of two teams in NFL history with seven come-from-behind fourth-quarter wins in a season. The other was the 2009 Colts, which was also coached by Jim Caldwell.
■ Saints WR Brandin Cooks didn’t have a pass thrown his way last week. It’s the first time in his three-year career he finished with no catches and zero targets.
■ QB Matthew Stafford is No. 2 on the career passing yards per game list at 277.5 yards, trailing the Saints’ Drew Brees (282.9 yards).
■ LB Tahir Whitehead is tied for the sixth-most tackles (101) in the NFL and has eclipsed 100 tackles for the first time in his career.