New Orleans Saints football is back as they face off against the Detroit Lions in week one. It’s a tough first matchup, but it can set the tone for the entire year. To start off well, the Saints’ must be locked in.
Despite both teams missing the playoffs in 2025, the Saints are currently seven-point underdogs to the Lions. This means that they must limit mistakes, particularly in the three areas below. If even one fails, then this game could end quickly.
The Lions are a talented team, which means both the offense and defense will be challenged. Below, I’ll dive into the specific areas that must be in tune to pull out a win.
The Saints' offensive line could be the difference between winning and losing.
The offensive line MUST protect Tyler Shough.
It’s imperative that Tyler Shough stays upright and operates the offense without the constant fear of pressure. The Lions have a premier edge rusher in Aidan Hutchinson, who had 14.5 sacks last season, and a deep defensive line that has talent at every position. It’s a major test for the Saints offensive line early in their season.
One of Shough’s biggest concerns during the draft was his subpar play under pressure. He improved drastically in 2026, making some fantastic plays against it, but it’s still a concern. His staying safe will help the Saints’ offense limit turnovers and eliminate negative plays. This is the key to running an efficient offense on Sunday.
The defensive line MUST limit Jahmyr Gibbs.
Jahmyr Gibbs is arguably the league's best running back in the league. He had an impressive 2025 season, tallying 1,839 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns.
Gibbs' home-run speed and elite agility make him a hassle to tackle in the open field. As shown in recent years, he’s capable of single-handedly beating a team (rushing for 219 yards and two touchdowns in an overtime win against the New York Giants last year).
Additionally, the Saints’ defense has struggled with tackling in recent seasons. There have been far too many missed attempts, especially by the second level. If this trend persists, then kiss this game goodbye. It’s crucial they bring down Gibbs and don’t allow him to reach green grass.
The defensive backs MUST keep the Lions in front of them.
It’s no secret: the Lions’ offense is explosive. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, and company are an elite group of weapons for Jared Goff.
It’s irrational to expect the Saints’ defense to shut them down; that’s not the goal. Instead, they should focus on keeping Detroit in front of them.
Their defensive game plan can be described in three words: bend, don't break. Goff will drive his team down the field, but not allowing any explosive plays and limiting them to field goals will be the difference between winning and losing.
Add us as a preferred source on Google