Perhaps the Lions just are unlucky in terms of scheduling. First, they conclude their regular season vs their division rival Packers, who also boast the league’s top record. They then follow that up by getting the Saints in the first round of the playoffs.

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The Jan 7 – Detroit Lions versus New orleans saints game will be the second meeting of the 2 teams this season. New Orleans won the first matchup in New Orleans 31-17. This is maybe part of the reason New Orleans is a 10.5 point fave to beat Detroit this week.

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The other is that the Saints are on a roll. They’ve won 8 games back to back arriving into this week’s game with Detroit, defeating three other playoff teams throughout that stretch. Following kicking an rival competitor with his cleats, defensive star Ndamukong Suh was suspended for 2 games, but Detroit were able to pull things together. They won 3 out of their last 4 games of the season, just losing a tight game to 15-1 Green Bay. When they last played New Orleans, they were without Suh, and Detroit is hoping the return of his existence to the defensive line is the difference they have to stop Drew Brees and the potent New Orleans offense.

Unfortunately for Detroit, that Saints offense has been on fire for the second half of the season. They’ve scored over 40 points in their last three games, and gone over 40 in 4 of their last six. A while back this year in New Orleans they dropped 62 points on Indianapolis, and they’re 8-0 in their home stadium this season.

Detroit has struggled this year vs higher caliber competition, going 1-5 vs playoff teams (just defeating Denver). Their offense has the opportunity to be high-flying, and thus it will be up to their defense to ensure they are in this match. If Suh will make up for his two-game suspension, it is now time.