NEW ORLEANS _ Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford stood in the pocket, full of courage and composure.
The Saints were coming with an all-out blitz, and Stafford let go of the ball, as he was crunched by two players.
Wide receiver Golden Tate was wide open down the right sideline. Tate stopped and turned, waiting for the ball to get to him, which seemed like forever. Tate caught it, cut back and ran across the field, through the great wide open, looking around, his head on a swivel, as if he were shocked at how easy this was. Stafford came running down the field, celebrating all the way, with his hands stretched out and leaned his head back, as if to scream: "Finally, we have a big lead!"
Finally, indeed.
That was the big play the Lions needed in this 28-13 victory over the Saints.
The Lions won this game by keeping New Orleans QB Drew Brees on the sideline through large chunks of this game. They won this game by getting five field goals from Matt Prater. And they won this game by getting several huge defensive plays.
Like a ridiculous, fourth-quarter interception by Tavon Wilson, who tipped the ball to himself.
This was a huge victory for the Lions, a huge step towards the playoffs.
Not to look to far ahead, ah heck, yes you can, get ready for the playoffs, Lions fans. It's not a complete lock, not yet, but this win sure helps.
This was a statement game for the Lions' defense. The Saints came into this game with the top-ranked offense in the league: The best passing attack and the ninth-ranked running game.
But there is only one certain way to stop Brees. Keep him on the sideline, with his helmet off and a baseball cap on. Early in the second quarter, Brees sat on the sideline, on an aluminum bench, looking up at the giant scoreboard in the Superdome, watching Stafford work, as he was driving the Lions 92 yards for a score that was important for several reasons:
1) They scored;
2) It ate up the clock;
3) The defense was resting and Brees was on the bench.
After Stafford hit Theo Riddick on a wide-open TD, giving the Lions a 10-0 lead, Brees got up, off the bench, took a drink, took his cap off and put on his helmet. He clapped his hands together as if to say: "This is gonna be a shootout."
But it never turned into that shootout, because of the Lions' defense.
There were so many big plays that went into that defense.
A deflected pass by A'Shawn Robinson.
Pressure by Ziggy Ansah.
An open field tackle by Kerry Hyder and Josh Bynes.
And suddenly, Brees went back to the sideline. He sat on the bench and studied a hand-held device, trying to figure out what the Lions were doing, trying to figure out how to attack.
The Saints didn't cross the 50 until midway through the second quarter, when Tommylee Lewis busted off a 24 yard punt return.
Meanwhile, the Lions were rolling.
Stafford was especially sharp, connecting on 16 of his first 17 passes, for 149 yards and a touchdown.
In the third quarter, as Stafford was driving again, Brees watched the game on the big screen, rocking back and forth, taking a drink of water, kicking his feet. Looking nervous. Looking frustrated. The defense held, as the Lions kicked their fourth field goal, as the Lions held a 19-6 lead with 1:42 left in the third quarter.
At that point, the Lions had totally dominated the Saints in almost every aspect. The Lions had nearly twice as many yards. The Lions held the ball for more than 29 minutes, compared to 14:07 for the Saints. Basically, the Lions held the ball for a full quarter longer.
But there was a big problem.
The Lions were settling for field goals.
But that defense was so strong.
There was linebacker Josh Bynes, chopping down a screen.
There was a leaping interception by Glover Quinn, who somehow jumped up, caught the b all and got down both feet as he was flying out of bounds.
And by the end of the game, as the Saints tried for a miracle, this loud, crazy stadium was largely quiet.
Except for a loud group of Detroit fans. "Let's go Lions!" they chanted. "Let's go Lions!"
