TWEETS:

SATURDAY NIGHT'S ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING:

Once again, new overtime rules will be in place during NFL postseason - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
If receiving team scores a field goal on opening possession, other team will get one chance to tie or win it

Separating the playoff contenders from pretenders - Greg Cote - MiamiHerald.com

NFC South about to make history - NFC South Blog - ESPN
When the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints play on Saturday night, it will represent a meeting of the two quarterbacks with the most combined regular-season passing yards in playoff history. Drew Brees and Matthew Stafford combined for 10,514 yards in the regular season.

Final Word: Lions at Saints - NFC South Blog - ESPN
Three nuggets of knowledge about Saturday's Lions-Saints playoff game: The Graham Factor: You can make the case that New Orleans tight end Jimmy Grah

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | NFC Wild Card Preview
Our first NFC wild card game is a repeat from Week 13, when the Saints beat Detroit 31-17. The Saints got off to a 24-7 start, then withstood a small Detroit comeback in the third quarter. Remarkably, the Lions actually outgained the Saints in net yardage, 466 to 438. However, the Lions had fewer yards per play (6.8 vs. 7.2 for New Orleans), the game's only turnover, and a lot of penalties: 11 flags for 107 yards.

Defense might take a back seat in the New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions game: links - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
News and notes from around the country

New Orleans Saints have task of stopping Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson again - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Receiver's big-play ability remains big challenge for the New Orleans Saints defense

Five keys to Lions upsetting Saints in playoffs | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
The Lions do have some things going for them. They are healthy. The defensive line is intact. And they have their own 5,000-yard quarterback, in Matthew Stafford. If any team can trade punches with the powerful Saints and stay upright, it's these Lions.

Lions pumped up for safety Louis Delmas' return | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
Delmas all but guaranteed the Lions would make the playoffs before the season. And now, he is ready to return to his starting role as the Lions kick off against the Saints in Saturday's wild-card playoff game.

Lions are ready to rumble | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
I'd like to tell you the Saints offense is vulnerable, but that would make me look dumber than usual. Drew Brees just posted the most-prolific passing season in NFL history.

Saints Upset on a Wildcard Weekend? Never Again

Lions stress smarts in NFL playoff duel with Drew Brees, Saints - Peter King - SI.com
"There's a reason they made us the prime time game Saturday,'' Detroit safety Chris Harris said Thursday. "This is gonna be a good one.''

Playoff Matchups: A Lot of Offense, a Little Defense - NYTimes.com
While some of the N.F.L.'s most explosive offenses will be on display this weekend, so will its top defense.

LAGNIAPPE:

NFL all-Pro team has been released, New Orleans Saints have two on first team - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
The big guys in the middle of the offensive line lead the way for the Saints

New Orleans Saints have converted third downs into success this season - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Saints' defense has also risen to the occasion on the most important down in football

Defensive rookies gaining New Orleans Saints' trust - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com
Future looks bright for defensive rookies

Rodgers tops Brees easily, Megatron and Allen lead All-Pro voting | ProFootballTalk
There's been some talk this week that Drew Brees may have caught Aaron Rodgers in the Most Valuable Player race, but the voting on the Associated Press All-Pro team makes it clear that most members of the media view Rodgers as the superior player.

Thomas and Strief Named Morton’s The Steakhouse Community Players of the Week

Payton's Final Wild Card Presser

VIDEO:

Marching Saints

HC Sean Payton's Press Conference 1/5/12