Gus Kattengell’s Saints Report: Detroit Lions Game

The 8-3 New Orleans Saints host the 7-4 Detroit Lions in a second straight nationally televised game Sunday night. The game yet another important one in a string of key games for the Saints in terms of the NFC Playoff picture. The Saints currently hold the 3rd seed, a game out of the 2nd seed held by 9-2 San Francisco. Detroit currently is on the outside looking in and reeling, as the 7th seed losing out in a tie-breaker with Atlanta who beat the Lions earlier in the season.

Saints RB Mark Ingram is expecting once again to face a team that is desperate and cornered...

A key story line heading into Sunday's matchup is the pending suspension of Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who was given a two-game suspension following last Thursday's action of stepping on a Packers lineman's arm. Suh appealed the suspension. His hearing was heard Thursday, but no time table was given as to what the result would be. The belief is that at worst the the suspension will be lowered to one game.

Still Brees feels the Lions defensive line present a formidable challenge without Suh...

One way for the Saints to take away a good pass rushing defensive line, is by running the football. The Black and Gold showed that last week by rushing the ball for over 200 yards against a solid Giants front that was tied for the league lead in sacks. Saints running back Mark Ingram is all about having a balanced offense...

Detroit still have a weapon on offense that can affect the game, they call him Megatron, his name is Calvin Johnson. The Lions receiver has the respect of Saints head coach Sean Payton.

The Saints have played solid football the last three weeks and Monday night's performance was just silly. That all said, Sunday night is a new game, new team, new challenge. Still, the Saints have advantages heading into the game. Detroit's secondary is banged up, and Suh will not be in the building. That's not good if you're a Lions fan. Secondly, the Falcons, that's right those Dirty Birds are just one game back, and have an easy schedule the rest of the way so there can be no let up. Drew Brees won't allow that, and he has the offense humming right now. Saints win this 31-17, just too many weapons and the Saints are 5-0 at home this season.

The Saints and Lions kick things off just after 7:30 on Sunday night. Hear all the action on Acadiana's Saints Station, 97.3 The Dawg.