Saints 2023 Week 13 Preview
Detroit Travels to New Orleans for NFC Duel
After falling to hated rival Atlanta in week 12, New Orleans is in the home stretch of the 2023 NFL season, and there’s a long way to go in a dreadful NFC South division. The Falcons won at home 24-15. The upcoming opponent is also coming off a loss. The Detroit Lions lost 29-22 to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving. A surprising victory from the cheese-heads keeps them in the thick of the NFC Wild Card race.
The Matchup:
The NFC South will likely host a playoff game this season with a division winner with a sub-500 record. Following their win, Atlanta reclaimed first place in the division and now owns the tie-breaker over the Saints; both at 5-6. Detroit has firm control of the NFC North and has a top-3 conference record tied with San Francisco at 8-3. The week 13 matchup holds a lot for both squads and should be a fun contest in the Crescent City. The game will be held on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023, at the Caesars Superdome at noon CST and broadcast live on FOX.
Series History:
New Orleans and Detroit most recently competed in 2020 when the Saints picked up a 35-29 victory at Ford Field. The Saints lead the all-time series between the two franchises with a total record of 14-12-1. The lone tie was the inaugural matchup of the two in 1968. Detroit lost the only postseason game against New Orleans in a 2012 Wildcard game.
Team Rankings Comparison:
| Rank (Week 12) | Saints | Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 5-6 (2nd NFC South) | 8-3 (1st NFC North) |
| Scoring Avg. | 20.8 (19) | 26.7 (7) |
| Opp. Scoring Avg. | 20.2 (9) | 23.5 (23) |
| Total Off. | 347.1 (12) | 405.5 (2) |
| Rushing Off. | 104.4 (19) | 136.9 (6) |
| Passing Off. | 242.7 (11) | 268.5 (3) |
| Total Def. | 320.3 (12) | 318.8 (10) |
| Rushing Def. | 124.0 (23) | 91.3 (5) |
| Passing Def. | 196.3 (7) | 227.5 (20) |
| Turnover Margin | +6 (6) | -5 (23) |
| Penalties | 70 (16) | 62 (24) |
| Penalty Yards | 642 (8) | 578 (13) |
Current Injury Report:
Saints-
Cameron Jordan, DE, Questionable, Ankle
Blake Grupe, K, Questionable, Groin
Erik McCoy, C, Questionable, Shoulder
Chris Olave, WR, Questionable, Concussion
Marcus Maye, S, Out, Shoulder
Rashid Shaheed, WR, Out, Thigh
Pete Werner, LB, Out, Shoulder
Kendre Miller, RB, Out, Ankle
Lions-
Jonah Jackson, G, Questionable, Ankle/Wrist
Alex Anzalone, LB, Doubtful, Hand
Hendon Hooker, QB, Out, Knee
Final Thoughts/Prediction:
This game will be the first meeting between the Saints and former tight ends coach Dan Campbell since he left New Orleans in 2020. The fiery personality in Campbell has found early success as the head coach of the Lions. The Saints will be without Michael Thomas (IR) and Shaheed (Thigh), and Olave is still questionable. An offense that has already been struggling will face an even more difficult task as they try to keep up with an explosive Lions offense. On the opposite side of the ball, the Saints are still without Marshon Lattimore (IR), which will make life easier on Amon-Ra St. Brown. New Orleans will fall to 5-7 when all’s said and done Sunday. I’ve got the Lions winning 30-17. The Saints still have something to play for this season, but it will get harder before it gets any easier.
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