Saints hardly ideal matchup for Lions

WhoDat!656 · 01-02-2012, 09:46 AM

If Lions coach Jim Schwartz thought he was angry after his defense gave up 550 yards to the Packers, then he could end up uncontrollably irate after Saturday's playoff matchup against the Saints in New Orleans.

A rematch of a Dec. 4 nationally televised meltdown for the Lions — it ended in a 31-17 loss — could once again force Schwartz's ailing defense into costly penalties and coverage breakdowns for big chunks of yards.

This is not the matchup Schwartz and his players probably hoped for, at least in the first round, based on the uncertain health status of its defensive and results from Sunday's 45-41 loss at Lambeau field.

Here's a look at what to watch for from the Saints in the matchup, marking the Lions' first playoff appearance since 1999:
Brees' record-setting accuracy

Saints quarterback Drew Brees not only leads the league in touchdown passes (46), completion percentage (71.2), passing yards (5,476) and completions (468), but he is protected well, too. He's been sacked just 24 times, one sack shy of a league-low.
Graham's dominance

Tight end Jimmy Graham is a 6-foot-6, 260-pound former college basketball player who created matchup nightmares every time he steps foot on the filed. He's already set franchise record for receptions in a season (99) and tied another mark for TD receptions (11).
Offensive depth, versatility

Darren Sproles , a running back, headlines a diverse attack that spreads the wealth with nine players that have caught at least 11 passes and five players that have at least 20 rushing attempts.

Sproles has 2,696 net offensive yards, an NFL single-season record.

New Orleans ranks No. 12 against the run and has an ability to get timely turnovers. Cornerback Patrick Robinson has a team-leading four interceptions and is the seventh different Saints defender to lead or co-lead the team in interceptions since 2007.

The Saints' troubles against the pass (259.8) are misleading because five of their wins were blowouts.
Explosive home-dome edge

For the first time in Saints history, the teams was 8-0 at the Superdome. They also set an NFL record, scoring 329 points at home. The previous high was 292 by the St. Louis Rams in 2000.

Looking ahead: Saints hardly an ideal matchup for Lions | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com

halloween 65 · 01-02-2012, 10:53 AM

This game is going to be on our D, no 2 ways about it. Our O will be fine. Our D needs to keep points off the board and give our O plenty of chances to put points up. The D has picked up their play over the last 5 weeks and now they have started to get in sync. I think if the D keeps rollin' come Feb. some AFC team is going to get a big ole' can of whoop-a$$. I know one game at a time Lions first.

Budsdrinker · 01-02-2012, 11:05 AM

Jam Calvin Johnson off the line and play zone coverage and confuse Stafford but we will really need great play by the D line.

homerj07 · 01-02-2012, 08:02 PM

We are not really a good match up for any team - are we!!

Choupique · 01-02-2012, 11:41 PM

Detroit in the dome? Phffft. Next.

Saintsfan4ever · 01-03-2012, 01:29 AM

Detroit has not been in the playoffs in this century. They'll be playing like they have nothing to lose because they've already over-achieved expectations. I would expect them to gamble alot on both sides of the ball,... and I expect it to turn horribly wrong for them.
I don't think the Saints will be over confident, or any of the other "didn't see it comin'" cliches you can think of. I think the Saints will be playing with a huge chip on their shoulder with a bad taste in their mouth from the results in Seattle last year. The Lion's Cinderella season is about to get their pumkin smashed to smithereens.

WHO_DAT_CAT · 01-03-2012, 02:22 AM

Originally Posted by Saintsfan4ever

Detroit has not been in the playoffs in this century. They'll be playing like they have nothing to lose because they've already over-achieved expectations. I would expect them to gamble alot on both sides of the ball

Yeah.....how'd that work out for them on Sunday? Against a second string QB.

95shakinpf · 01-03-2012, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by WHO_DAT_CAT

Yeah.....how'd that work out for them on Sunday? Against a second string QB.

Exactly...Brees is going to carve em up like a Thanksgiving Turkey!

I like white meat!!

01-02-2012, 09:46 AM	#1
WhoDat!656 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 16,062	Saints hardly ideal matchup for Lions If Lions coach Jim Schwartz thought he was angry after his defense gave up 550 yards to the Packers, then he could end up uncontrollably irate after Saturday's playoff matchup against the Saints in New Orleans. A rematch of a Dec. 4 nationally televised meltdown for the Lions — it ended in a 31-17 loss — could once again force Schwartz's ailing defense into costly penalties and coverage breakdowns for big chunks of yards. This is not the matchup Schwartz and his players probably hoped for, at least in the first round, based on the uncertain health status of its defensive and results from Sunday's 45-41 loss at Lambeau field. Here's a look at what to watch for from the Saints in the matchup, marking the Lions' first playoff appearance since 1999: Brees' record-setting accuracy Saints quarterback Drew Brees not only leads the league in touchdown passes (46), completion percentage (71.2), passing yards (5,476) and completions (468), but he is protected well, too. He's been sacked just 24 times, one sack shy of a league-low. Graham's dominance Tight end Jimmy Graham is a 6-foot-6, 260-pound former college basketball player who created matchup nightmares every time he steps foot on the filed. He's already set franchise record for receptions in a season (99) and tied another mark for TD receptions (11). Offensive depth, versatility Darren Sproles , a running back, headlines a diverse attack that spreads the wealth with nine players that have caught at least 11 passes and five players that have at least 20 rushing attempts. Sproles has 2,696 net offensive yards, an NFL single-season record. New Orleans ranks No. 12 against the run and has an ability to get timely turnovers. Cornerback Patrick Robinson has a team-leading four interceptions and is the seventh different Saints defender to lead or co-lead the team in interceptions since 2007. The Saints' troubles against the pass (259.8) are misleading because five of their wins were blowouts. Explosive home-dome edge For the first time in Saints history, the teams was 8-0 at the Superdome. They also set an NFL record, scoring 329 points at home. The previous high was 292 by the St. Louis Rams in 2000. Looking ahead: Saints hardly an ideal matchup for Lions \| The Detroit News \| detroitnews.com

01-02-2012, 10:53 AM	#2
halloween 65 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana Posts: 5,893	This game is going to be on our D, no 2 ways about it. Our O will be fine. Our D needs to keep points off the board and give our O plenty of chances to put points up. The D has picked up their play over the last 5 weeks and now they have started to get in sync. I think if the D keeps rollin' come Feb. some AFC team is going to get a big ole' can of whoop-a$$. I know one game at a time Lions first. Halo and WHO_DAT_CAT like this.

01-02-2012, 11:05 AM	#3
Budsdrinker A Cajun Transforming TX Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Woodlands, Texas Posts: 2,787	Jam Calvin Johnson off the line and play zone coverage and confuse Stafford but we will really need great play by the D line. Halo likes this.

01-02-2012, 08:02 PM	#4
homerj07 In Doh We Trust Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 7,027 Blog Entries: 16	We are not really a good match up for any team - are we!! Halo and Choupique like this.

01-02-2012, 11:41 PM	#5
Choupique 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,594	Detroit in the dome? Phffft. Next. Halo likes this.
Choupique 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2,594

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01-03-2012, 01:29 AM	#6
Saintsfan4ever 500th Post Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Moss Point, MS Posts: 612 Blog Entries: 1	Detroit has not been in the playoffs in this century. They'll be playing like they have nothing to lose because they've already over-achieved expectations. I would expect them to gamble alot on both sides of the ball,... and I expect it to turn horribly wrong for them. I don't think the Saints will be over confident, or any of the other "didn't see it comin'" cliches you can think of. I think the Saints will be playing with a huge chip on their shoulder with a bad taste in their mouth from the results in Seattle last year. The Lion's Cinderella season is about to get their pumkin smashed to smithereens. 95shakinpf likes this.

01-03-2012, 02:22 AM	#7
WHO_DAT_CAT 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: California - Bay Area Posts: 386	Originally Posted by Saintsfan4ever Detroit has not been in the playoffs in this century. They'll be playing like they have nothing to lose because they've already over-achieved expectations. I would expect them to gamble alot on both sides of the ball Yeah.....how'd that work out for them on Sunday? Against a second string QB.

01-03-2012, 07:20 AM	#8
95shakinpf Registered Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Picayune,MS Posts: 91	Originally Posted by WHO_DAT_CAT Yeah.....how'd that work out for them on Sunday? Against a second string QB. Exactly...Brees is going to carve em up like a Thanksgiving Turkey! I like white meat!!

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