Drew-Tastic! Brees Throws 6 Touchdown Passes In Saints 45-27 Win Over Lions
By Keith Null
The Saints opened the season with a bang and a vicious aerial attack as Drew Brees threw for nearly 400 yards and six touchdowns, one shy of tying the NFL record.
Those are the type of stats you only see on Madden, but I assure you it was a real game and Brees is just real good.
New Orleans jumped out to an early lead, 14-0, with two quick touchdown passes to Robert Meachem and Marques Colston.
The defense allowed only ten points during the first half of play to the lowly Lions as kicker Jason Hanson hit a 47 yard field goal to put up the first Detroit points.
After a Saints three and out and a rather short punt, Detroit’s Dennis Northcutt returned it 43 yards to setup the ensuing score, Kevin Smith found the end-zone around the left side to bring the Lions within four points, 14-10.
Then on consecutive drives Brees connected with Shockey for two scores, a one yard touchdown grab the first series followed by a 15 yard strike the next, bringing the score to 28-10 towards the end of the half.
It looks like the chemistry between Shockey and Brees is strong and long overdue, refreshing for us Saints fans.
The Lions would go three and out on the next series and were forced to punt. Bush was back to receive but muffed it, allowing the Lions to regain possession of the ball on the Saints 15 yard line.
New Orleans stood firm however, on the very next play Darren Sharper intercepted Stafford and ran it back 51 yards to the Lions 45 yard line, setting up the Saints for a last second field goal.
On third and eleven Karney attempted the field goal from the 34 yard line before the half only to get his kicked blocked by DeWayne White.
The score at half-time remained 28-10.
Detroit opened the scoring in the second half after New Orleans gave up a 64 yard pass to stud receiver Calvin Johnson, setting them up at the three yard line.
On three consecutive plays the Saints stuffed the Lions on the goal line but Sharper was called for a personal foul that reset the downs and then one play later end Charles Grant was called for the exact same penalty.
Facing a first and one Stafford launched up the middle with a quarterback sneak for the touchdown, bringing the score to 28-17.
New Orleans would find pay-dirt on three of it’s next five drives, scoring two more touchdowns and a field goal.
They could have scored again in the waining moments of the fourth quarter but Bush’s touchdown run was nullified by a holding penalty.
Meanwhile Detroit managed to score ten more points, a 24 yard field goal and a 65 yard fumble recovery by rookie safety Louis Delmas stemming from a Mike Bell fumble on the Detroit 32 yard line.
Final Score 45-27.
If you are interested, follow this link to the game book for in-depth stats and analysis.
New Orleans is now 1-0 for the third time in four years and currently shares the number one spot in the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons, the Bucs fell to the Cowboys and the Panthers to the Eagles.
The Saints will look to extend their win streak when they head into Philly next week to face the Eagles who are coming off a lopsided victory over the Panthers. It is a possibility that Eagles QB Donovan McNabb may not be heading the team as early reports state he broke a rib and may be out 2 to 4 weeks, good news for us indeed.
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