Here are four things the Lions must do to beat the Saints Sunday.
On Sunday, the Lions will look to get back on the right track against the New Orleans Saints.
Detroit, which was defeated by the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving, hasn’t lost back-to-back games in 2023.
Without further ado, here are the four keys to victory for the Lions in New Orleans.
Clean up things offensively
The Lions have coughed up the football far too often the last two weeks. Jared Goff has turned over the football a total of six times, and the team has seven total times in its last two games. Detroit isn’t going to win many games being that carefree with the football, and it cost Dan Campbell’s squad dearly on Thanksgiving against Green Bay.
Going into Sunday’s contest with New Orleans, it will need to do a much better job of protecting the football. If the Lions play anywhere close to as reckless as they have recently, it will play right into the hands of the opportunistic Saints defense. New Orleans, in fact, has produced 20 takeaways through 11 games. That’s good for the third-best mark in the league up to this point in the season.
It makes it even more important for Goff and Detroit’s offense to play a vastly cleaner brand of football Sunday against the Saints.
Get home against Derek Carr and force a turnover
Detroit has also struggled getting to the passer and causing turnovers all throughout the 2023 campaign. In fact, the Lions have thus far compiled only 12 takeaways. The mark is tied for the sixth-lowest amount of turnovers in the NFL.
Detroit was unable to generate much of a pass-rush, and failed to force a single takeaway against Jordan Love and the Packers last week. And, it allowed Love & Co. to march up and down the field all game long. The third-year passer ended up completing 22-of-32 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns in the upset win for Green Bay.
The Saints’ Derek Carr hasn’t been as productive as Love has been this season. Yet, he’s still an accomplished veteran passer. And, if you give him an ample amount of time to survey the field and dissect Aaron Glenn’s defense, he’s likely going to have a decent day through the air.
It’s why it’s paramount for the Lions to get in the face of Carr Sunday. And if they do often enough, it only enhances the chances of Glenn’s unit coming up with a much-needed turnover.
