Maybe the Detroit Lions just are unlucky in terms of scheduling. First, they conclude their regular season against their division foe Packers, who additionally boast the league’s top record. They then follow that up by drawing the Saints in the first round of the playoffs.

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The Jan 7 – Detroit Lions vs New orleans saints game will be the second meeting of the two squads this season. New Orleans won the first matchup in New Orleans 31-17. This is perhaps part of the reason New Orleans is a 10.5 point favorite to beat Detroit this week.

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The other is that the Saints are on a roll. They have won 8 contests in a row coming into this week’s meeting with Detroit, defeating three other playoff squads during that stretch. Detroit managed to pull things together following defensive star Ndamukong Suh was suspended for two contests following kicking an enemy competitor with his cleats. They won 3 out of their last 4 contests of the season, only losing a tight game to 15-1 Green Bay. When they last played New Orleans, they were lacking Suh, and Detroit is intending the return of his existence to the defensive line is going to be the change they must stop Drew Brees and the strong New Orleans offense.

Sadly for Detroit, that Saints offense has been amazing for the second half of the season. They have gone over 40 in 4 of their last 6 and obtained more than 40 points in their last three contests. They’re 8-0 in their home stadium this season and earlier this year in New Orleans they tumbled 62 points on Indianapolis.

Detroit has had trouble this year against higher powered competition, going 1-5 against playoff squads (only defeating Denver). Their offense has the possibility to be high-flying, and so it will likely be up to their defense to ensure they are in this match. If Suh is likely to make up for his two-game suspension, now is the time.