Five things to look for in Lions at Saints

The Saints aren’t making the playoffs. This much we know. But they have to win out to avoid a losing season – something I can promise you is a motivating factor for the players and coaches. This is a Monday Night game in Prime Time in front of a national audience and regardless of how bad these teams have been at times this year they’re not going to want to embarrass themselves on this stage. I believe the effort will be there. Here’s five things to look for:

1. Me!

I’ll be in attendance at this game. It’s only the second game I’ll make in person this year. Usually I make more but it’s tougher now with two kids. Sadly the only other game I went to was on the road against the Redskins. You guys all know how that ended. Things need to go better for me this time around. I can’t let that experience be the lasting impression I have of this season in person. I plan to tailgate a bit in Champions Square, hopefully. Find me and I will buy you a beer.

2. If we can’t stop the run against THIS team, I give up.

The Saints are horrible against the run. They’ve given up 1,739 yards rushing this season, dead last in the NFL, at 5.0 yards per carry, dead last in the NFL. Seriously, they are that bad. But that makes for a very interesting match up because the Lions just so happen to be the worst rushing team in the league! Finally a team the Saints can match up against. Maybe. The Lions have rushed for 1,031 yards this year, dead last in the NFL, at 3.7 yards per carry which is 26th. Granted the Texans and Redskins average 3.6 yards per carry and we know what those rushing attacks did to the Saints… Anyway, the Lions are paced by Saints cast off Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick (who’s more of a receiver). These guys have been the combination of injured and unimpressive all season. If there’s a game you walk away saying – “wow the Saints actually kind of stopped the run this week” – this would be it. The Lions also don’t like to run that much, they just chuck it with Matt Stafford all day long. And with the secondary the Saints have, they probably like that matchup anyway.

3. More Tim Hightower?

The Saints only have 3 running backs on the roster with Hightower, C. J. Spiller and newly signed veteran Kendall Hunter who replaces rookie Marcus Murphy. The Lions are 22nd against the run and 10th against the pass, so I would expect to see the Saints try to establish the run and have a similar game plan to a week ago in Tampa. Does this mean Hightower will approach 30 carries and we’ll barely see Spiller touch the ball again? Or does Spiller maybe actually see the field a little bit? If something happens to Hightower in game, they almost have to lean exclusively on Spiller at that point – right? I know Spiller is dropping further down the well with each passing week but I’d still like to see him get a true amount of opportunities. Like 10-15 touches in a game. Probably won’t happen, but will leaning on Hightower produce again?

4. Can the Saints block Ziggy Ansah?

Ezekiel Ansah (or “Ziggy”) has 13.5 sacks this season. Scary pass rushers have done extremely well against the Saints this year. Regardless of who he is matched up against, I don’t like the Saints’ odds. I’d like Drew Brees to get through this season healthy and he took another really bit shot last week. Keep an eye on #94 because he’s terrifying in obvious pass rushing situations.

5. Lance Moore – the homecoming.

You know the Lions are going to try to get him a score. And if he does, you know there’s going to be a memorable touchdown dance. I’ll be looking for it. And I’m curious to see how the fans might react to it, too. Moore deserves a homecoming welcome and I hope the fans will treat him right. In soccer stadiums they’ll chant a players name and it would be appropriate too. I just hope he doesn’t get booed. He was a great Saint and it’ll be fun to see him play – I wish nothing but the best to that guy.