Saints Lose to Lions: The Good, Bad, and UNFORGIVABLE
By Bob Rose
Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) under center during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Lions defeated the Saints 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
THE BAD: THE SAINTS DEFENSE CAN’T GET OFF THE FIELD IN KEY 3RD DOWN AND LONG SITUATIONS
Detroit converted five of twelve 3rd down opportunities in the game, but yet it seemed as if the Saints defense could never get off the field; because of the number of key 3rd down and long situations that the Lions were able to convert.
The 66-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate, for example, was on a 3rd and 10. The Saints actually did pressure Stafford into a hurried throw, but Tate was left wide open due to a GROSS and inexplicable lapse of communication between Vonn Bell and cornerback BW Webb.
That play was a perfect microcosm of the entire afternoon.
The defense actually did play well within the red zone, holding Detroit to four field goals instead of touchdowns. But overall, the entire unit took a major step backward from the progress they had made over the last several games.