Detroit @ New Orleans preview

Detroit at New Orleans

Last Meeting ( Dec 4, 2016 ) Detroit 28, New Orleans 13

The New Orleans Saints will try to move above .500 for the first time since the end of the 2013 season when they host the Detroit Lions on Sunday. New Orleans captured two straight prior to last week’s bye and is in search of its first three-game winning streak since October 2015.

The Saints had last week off following their 20-0 victory over Miami in London and will be playing only their second game of the season at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. “We need to play better at home,” New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees told reporters. “We haven't. I know there was a time when I think teams dreaded coming and playing in the Dome, and there's no reason it can't be like that again." Detroit has dropped two of its last three contests, with the losses coming by a total of seven points. The Lions have won three straight meetings with the Saints, including a 28-13 triumph in New Orleans last season.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Saints -4.5. O/U: 50

ABOUT THE LIONS (3-2): Detroit no longer has a dynamic offense but is much improved defensively and has done a good job of taking care of the ball. Matthew Stafford led a second-half comeback attempt that came up just short in a 27-24 loss to Carolina last week despite a right ankle injury, and he is expected to play against New Orleans. The loss of run stopper Haloti Ngata to a torn biceps will be a tough blow to a defense that ranks third against the run but has struggled to stop the pass.

ABOUT THE SAINTS (2-2): New Orleans ranks 29th in the league in total defense but has been outstanding in consecutive wins, holding Carolina to 288 total yards and limiting Miami to 186. Facing the Lions will provide a test for a secondary that was lit up in the first two games of the season – losses to Minnesota and New England. Brees still is an elite quarterback, however, and Alvin Kamara has emerged as a nice complement to Mark Ingram in the backfield.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Saints are the third team since 1933 to play their first four games without committing a turnover.

2. The Lions are tied for second in the league in turnover margin at plus-8.

3. Saints WR Michael Thomas has topped 85 receiving yards in three straight games and caught a touchdown pass in each of his last two contests.

PREDICTION: Saints 27, Lions 23