It’s not about how you start. It’s about how you respond with 35 unanswered points after trailing by 14 points.
The New Orleans Saints improved to 2-2 for the season after a 35-29 road win against the Detroit Lions.
The matchup against the Detroit Lions looked to be in jeopardy after an initial positive COVID-19 test for fullback Michael Burton.
However, the game was on after further testing showed a negative result for Burton.
How It Happened:
It was not an ideal start for New Orleans.
Detroit drove down the field on their opening possession. The Lions ran eight plays for the 7-yard drive that lasted 3:02. Running back D’Andre Swift caught the first touchdown of the game.
Drew Brees threw an interception after his pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage on his first pass attempt. Detroit proceeded to capitalize on the turnover and took a 14-0 lead after Stafford connected with Kenny Golladay on the 15-yard strike.
It was all New Orleans in the first half after that. The Saints scored 28 unanswered points to take a 14-point lead into halftime.
After going down by 14 points, the Saints responded with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in a three-yard rushing touchdown for Latavius Murray.
The Lions punted on their next drive and New Orleans had another long touchdown drive. The Saints tied the game at 14 with a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Alvin Kamara punched it in from one-yard out.
The half ended with two Tre’Quan Smith receiving touchdowns. The first was a two-yard touchdown reception from Brees to take a 21-14 lead with 3:03 left in the half.
The second Smith touchdown reception came at the end of the half with 44 seconds left. Smith caught a 20-yard pass from Brees to take the 14-point lead into the second half.
The second half started as a continuation from the end of the first. Murray gave the Saints a 35-14 lead after a six-yard rushing touchdown. The 75-yard opening drive in the second half lasted 6:08.
A 32-yard defensive pass interference penalty on Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone set up the Lions near the goal line. Stafford completed the touchdown pass to tight end T.J. Hockenson for their first points since the beginning of the first quarter.
New Orleans still led 35-21 entering the fourth quarter.
The Saints were forced to punt but Thomas Morstead pinned the Lions back on their one-yard line. Detroit punted the ball back to New Orleans after a sack by David Onyemata on third down.
New Orleans took possession with 9:34 remaining in the game. A three-and-out by the offense gave the Lions the ball back with 8:01 left.
The Lions cut it to a six-point deficit with 3:40 remaining. Adrian Peterson ran it in a five-yard touchdown and the Lions two-point conversion cut the score to a 35-29 lead for the Saints.
New Orleans was facing a 3rd and 5, but Brees completed a 19-yard pass to Smith for the first down with 3:25 left.
The Saints proceeded to run out the clock for their second win of the season.
Player of the Game: Tre’Quan Smith
I would give it to Sean Payton for running the ball, but he is not a player. So the player of the game is Tre’Quan Smith. Without Michael Thomas or Jared Cook, Smith stepped up with two key touchdowns as the Saints scored 35 unanswered points. He also caught the first down pass to eventually seal the win.
Big Number: 36:46
New Orleans was able to run the ball and control the time of possession. The Saints controlled the ball over 13 minutes more than the Lions on the road as they rushed for 164 yards.
Up Next: Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers at home, Oct. 12; Kickoff scheduled for 7:15 p.m.