:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52129347/usa-today-9724318.0.jpeg)
The New Orleans Saints were trying to get back to .500 when they faced the Detroit Lions in the Mercedes Benz Superdome this afternoon. Instead they came out sloppy and sleepy and lost 28-13 to a determined Lions team. The Saints at 5-7 are done as far as the 2016 season is concerned. It's going to be the third sub-par year for Sean Payton's Saints and things have to change. Otherwise, we'll be here again in a year.
Here is a quarter by quarter recap of what happened in the Superdome today:
***
1st Quarter
- Lions win the toss and defer, Saints start at their own 18-yard line
- On third-and-one, an errant snap goes over Brees' head and forces Saints to punt
- An average punt by Thomas Morstead gives Detroit good field position at their 47-yard line
- Saints stop the Lions on third-and-one in the red zone
- Matt Prater converts a 27-yard field goal, Lions take a 3-0 lead.
- Saints start the next drive at their 25-yard line after a touchback on Detroit's kickoff
- After driving up to their 49-yard line, Saints stall on third-and-one and punt
- Detroit starts their second drive from their 8-yard line
- Lions convert on a third and 11 from their 23-yard line
- After one quarter, Lions lead the Saints 3-0
***
2nd Quarter
- Lions get inside the 15-yard line of the Saints
- Lions get a touchdown from Stafford to Theo Riddick to take a 9-0 lead
- Lions lead the Saints 10-0 after a 92-yard scoring drive
- Saints get the ball at their 25-yard line
- Saints face a third and 10 at their own 37-yard line and can't convert
- Morstead pins the Lions at their 13-yard line
- Saints stop the Lions on third and 11 at their own 19-yard line, Detroit punts
- Tommy Lee Lewis returns the ball at the Lions' 48-yard line
- Saints stall at the Lions' 23-yard line and Wil Lutz makes a 40-yard field goal
- Lions lead the Saints 10-3
- Lions start at their 25-yard line
- Detroit methodically drives down the field into the Saints' red zone
- Lions stall and kick a 29-yard field goal to take a 13-3 lead
- Saints start at their 10-yard line
- After a Brandin Cooks 39-yard reception, Saints get deep into Lions territory
- Saints kick a field goal to reduce the deficit
- Lions lead the Saints 13-6 at halftime
***
3rd Quarter
- Lions get the ball to start the second half
- Detroit drives deep into Saints' territory
- Saints' defense bows its neck again and Detroit has to kick a field goal
- Prater makes a 32-yarder, and Lions lead the Saints 16-6
- Saints start at their 25-yard line but promptly hold and start at their 15
- After driving up to their 30-yard line, Brees throws a pick at the Lions' 46-yard line
- Lions once again drive down into the Saints' red zone and stall
- Detroit makes another field goal and leads the Saints 19-6
- Saints start at their 25-yard line and quickly drive into Lions territory
- Saints get inside the red zone as the quarter expires
***
4th Quarter
- Saints get down to the Lions' half-yard line
- John Kuhn rushes for a touchdown
- Saints cut their deficit to 19-13 after the PAT
- Lions start from their 25-yard line
- Stafford finds Golden Tate all alone and hits him for a touchdown
- Lions go for two and miss, but Detroit leads 25-13
- Saints start at their 25-yard line put stall at their 30 on 4th and 10 and have to punt
- Lions start in good field position after a bad punt by Morstead
- Detroit runs the ball down into Saints' territory and stall
- Lions make a 52-yard field goal and lead the Saints 28-13
- Saints take over at their 25-yard line
- Brees throws another pick and gives the Lions the ball near midfield
- Lions drive into Saints' territory and punt
- Saints put lipstick on that pig of a performance with more useless yards
- Brees throws his third pick of the day to end the game
- Lions defeat the Saints 28-13