Lions require OT but survive Saints scare

After disappointingly missing the playoffs in 2025, the Detroit Lions opened their 2026 campaign at Ford Field on Sunday with expectations once again weighing heavily on their shoulders. Beginning the new year with a chance to immediately reset the narrative against the New Orleans Saints. Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs remain at the heart of the talented Lions offense.

The Saints handed the reins to Tyler Shough at quarterback after he took over during last season, while a defense that ranked ninth in the NFL in 2025 provided optimism that New Orleans could compete despite its youth and several offseason changes. The challenge, however, was considerable. Facing a Lions team at home that was determined to put last season’s disappointment behind it and start 2026 with a statement victory always looked an uphill battle. After forcing a punt on New Orleans’ opening drive, Detroit’s offensive gameplan became very apparent – a lot of usage for Gibbs. He accounted for 58 of the team’s 89-yard opening drive and punctuated it by running in his first touchdown for the year as alarm bells rang on the Saints’ sidelines.

While Detroit’s defense continually forced New Orleans into punts, controversy struck when the Saints appeared to get on the board with a scoop and score. Reviewed by the NFL’s replay centre, Jared Goff’s supposed fumble was overturned to an incomplete pass to take points off the ball, sparking instant debate among the commentary team and online.

Finally working their way into field goal territory to at least get on the board, Shough and the New Orleans offense shot themselves in the foot with an interception.

Football fans will be forgiven for not remembering the first half of this encounter, but it was Detroit leading 7-0 at the main break.

Kellen Moore was unable to inspire improved production from his offense at halftime, as Shough’s nightmare in Detroit continued. First, he was picked off by Derrick Barnes, which Gibbs converted into his 2^nd touchdown. Shortly after, he lost a fumble on 3^rd and long, which allowed St. Brown to walk in and open some breathing room on the scoreboard.

With not much to lose, Shough delivered by far his best throw of the afternoon on a deep ball to Chris Olave, which led to Kendre Miller scoring the team’s first points with a short yardage touchdown, keeping them in the game.

In a drastic turn of events, a quick 3-and-out, gave the Saints the ball back with good field position and renewed confidence. Parlayed with a defensive pass interference call in the end zone, and suddenly, it was back to a 7-point ball game as Devaughn Vele scored.

The teams went back and forth on field goals throughout the 4^th quarter, but New Orleans regained possession at their 35-yard line with 2 minutes to play and the game on the line. What seemed at halftime like the most boring of Sunday’s early slate had suddenly become can’t-miss action.

Shough delivered a masterful 2-minute drill, initially convering a 4^th and 12 to Bryce Lance, then delivering a 42-yard bomb to Olave, before tying the scores with a dime to Juwan Johnson.

New Orleans would even go on to have a chance to win the game, but a missed 62-yarder from Daniel Carlson sent it to overtime.

The Lions got first possession and strolled down the field, with St. Brown’s 2^nd touchdown giving Detroit the upper hand and forcing New Orleans to score a touchdown to keep the game alive.

The sophomore was up to the challenge, converting another 4^th down to Olave before finding Noah Fant in the end zone on his Saints debut, leaving head coach Moore with a decision. Backing the hot hand, he elected to go for 2 and the win, but the Lions defense held strong when it mattered, with tight coverage forcing Chris Olave out of bounds.

Detroit absolutely dodged a bullet, nearly paying the price for not making the most of the control they had over the game in its early stages. The team and its fans will breathe a sigh of relief and be thankful for the win, but there’s no doubt Dan Campbell will be aware that considerable improvement is required if this team is to meet expectations this season.

For New Orleans, a real tale of two halves. Having stormed back in the 2^nd, they’ll ultimately rue just how poor they were out of the gates. The team showed what they’re capable of and Moore can only hope his team shows it for a full 4 quarters next week in Baltimore.

Touchdowns
New Orleans: Vele, Johnson, Fant, Miller
Detroit: Gibbs 2, St. Brown 2

Top Performers
New Orleans: Shough, Olave, Broughton, Vele, Werner
Detroit: Gibbs, St. Brown, Barnes, Hutchinson, Goff

Injuries
New Orleans: N/A
Detroit: Mahogany (knee), Maddox (arm)

Crowd: 62,897 at Ford Field