3 Saints That Need to Clamp Down On the Lions

Dec 4, 2011; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (28) scores a touchdown as Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Harris (43) tries to strip him in the end zone during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Lions, 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

This coming Monday Night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome (7:30 p.m. CST, on ESPN), the Saints will play host to the Detroit Lions on national television for Monday Night Football.

The last time these two teams met (Week #7 of last year), the Lions beat the Saints in what was a heartbreaking defeat.

The Saints were up 10-3 going into halftime after a Shayne Graham field goal to end the half on a high note. They started the second half firing on all cylinders, with Brees hitting (now Dolphins wide receiver) Kenny Stills for a 46 yard touchdown pass, just a minute and 18 seconds into the second half.

Fast forward to 5:24 seconds into the game, after a Detroit TD run and a couple Shayne Graham field goals, the Saints find themselves with a comfortable 23-10 lead.

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With Detroit not scoring for a whole 16 minutes of the game since their touchdown run, most Saints fans felt that the game was wrapped up and they would get their third win of the season with a defeat of a tough Detroit team.

But as ESPN’s own Lee Corso is famous for saying: Not so fast, my friend.

The Lions hit a quick 73 yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate, when former Saints cornerback Corey White (now with Dallas) tried to jump the pass route for an interception but mistimed it — and Tate was off to the races.

Oct 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) gets away from New Orleans Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis (28) to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

On the ensuing possession, the Saints get the ball back; and as Saints QB Drew Brees is known to do, tried to do too much; with the feeling that his defense might give up another lead, and he threw an interception.

Subsequently, the Lions got the ball in great field position at the Saints 14 yard line, with 3 minutes and 10 seconds left and a chance to take the lead for the first time.

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With a minute and forty-eight seconds left, Lions QB Matt Stafford hit WR Corey Fuller for a touchdown pass and the lead. Former Saints corner Stanley Jean-Baptiste, who was in for injured started Keenan Lewis, got beat and gave up the touchdown.

On the very next drive, Brees and the Saints offense couldn’t convert. Game over, Lions win in a crazy 24-23 comeback, and the Saints drop to 2-5 — in a year when they had Super Bowl aspirations at the beginning; and once again crushing all the hopes of Saints fans who just wanted to see their team “turn it around”.

Fast forward to this Monday Night’s game, where despite their 4-9 record, Detroit has played markedly better football in recent weeks. The Saints can’t let the Lions beat them this Monday night, if they want to keep their very slim playoff chances alive.

That being said, these are 3 Saints who need to clamp down on the Lions…..

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