Detroit (4-10) at New Orleans (3-11)
| SCOUTING REPORT |
San Antonio hosts battle of have-notsIf any team has experienced a more frustrating and disappointing season than the Lions, it is the Saints. Obviously, there have been daunting off-the-field issues with the Saints' organization this season, but Detroit simply has no excuses. After starting the season 3-3, the Lions have lost five in a row and seven of eight; New Orleans has won just one of its last 10.
This is the most competitive matchup that either team could possibly ask for. Although they do not really deserve it, both have a chance to get a victory and a glimmer of respectability for the holidays. To the fans of San Antonio: This is not the typical NFL game. |
· Full Scouting Report 
|
| Matchup |
| | W-L | PF | PA | HOME | ROAD | DIV | CONF |
| DET | 5-11 | 254 | 345 | 3-5 | 2-6 | 1-5 | 3-9 |
| NOR | 3-13 | 235 | 398 | 1-7 | 2-6 | 1-5 | 1-11 |
| · Complete Standings |
| | New Orleans Passing | | | CMP% | YDS | TD | INT | | Brees | 68.1 | 2746 | 22 | 9 |
|
| Detroit Rushing | | | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | | Smith | 162 | 560 | 3.5 | 3 | | Morris | 38 | 141 | 3.7 | 1 |
| | New Orleans Rushing | | | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | | Thomas | 105 | 584 | 5.6 | 5 | | Bell | 115 | 514 | 4.5 | 4 |
|
| TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS |
| TEAM OFFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
| Total Yards | DET | 270.0 |
| NOR | 314.0 |
| Yards Passing | DET | 178.0 |
| NOR | 208.9 |
| Yards Rushing | DET | 91.9 |
| NOR | 105.5 |
| TEAM DEFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
| Yards Allowed | DET | 322.4 |
| NOR | 312.1 |
| Pass Yds Allowed | DET | 194.9 |
| NOR | 178.1 |
| Rush Yds Allowed | DET | 127.5 |
| NOR | 134.1 |
| HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001) |
| Detroit leads 2-0 |
| Sep 29, 2002 | DET 26, @NOR 21 |
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Detroit (4-10) at New Orleans (3-11) Saturday 1:00 pm EST
SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- The New Orleans Saints play their final
home game of the season Saturday when they meet the Detroit
Lions in a matchup of sputtering teams.
Displaced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina, the Saints'
home schedule consisted of four games in Baton Rouge on the
campus of Louisiana State University, three games here at the
Alamodome and another contest at Giants Stadium that was
called a "home game."
It was hard to gauge the home-field advantage in the games in
their home state as the Saints played in front of sparse crowds
and lost all four contests at LSU.
The Saints have enjoyed some comforts of home here, splitting
their two games while drawing crowds of 58,688 and a sellout of
65,562.
In what has been a difficult season, the Saints could use all
the help they can get since they enter the contest having lost
three straight and nine of their last 10 games since a 2-2
start.
Last Sunday, coach Jim Haslett made the move to bench Aaron
Brooks in favor of Todd Bouman, who threw four interceptions and
lost a fumble in a 27-10 loss to Carolina.
While Haslett's job may be in jeopardy at the end of season, the
Lions already have endured a coaching change after Steve
Mariucci was fired four days after an embarrassing Thanksgiving
Day loss to Atlanta.
The Lions have yet to respond under interim coach Dick Jauron,
losing all three of their games. They have lost five straight
overall.
It was another struggle last Sunday as the Lions surrendered 426
total yards and 29 first downs in a 41-17 home loss to
Cincinnati.
Matchup to watch: Donte Stallworth, who had five catches for 102
yards andd a touchdown last week, faces Lions right cornerback
Dre' Bly, who has six interceptions this season.
Series: Tied, 8-8-1.
Next week: Detroit visits Pittsburgh, January 1
New Orleans visits Tampa Bay, January 1
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Detroit 13, 
New Orleans 12