Detroit Lions survive New Orleans Saints comeback for 33-28 win: Game recap, highlights

The Detroit Lions survived a late comeback to escape with a 33-28 win over the New Orleans Saints and move to 9-3 on the season.

It was a reunion of sorts for head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who were both a part of the Saints’ coaching staff from 2016-2020 before joining the Lions. New Orleans is coming off a 24-15 loss to the Falcons and sits at 5-7 still in contention for a division title in a log jammed NFC South.

The game kicked from the Superdome in New Orleans at 1 p.m. It was televised on Fox and livestreamed on Fubo. The Lions were 4½-point road favorites.

Lions vs. Saints score

Lions vs. Saints game recap, highlights

Final: Lions run out clock, secure 33-28 win over Saints

It wasn't pretty, but the Lions found a way to close the door on the Saints comeback to escape with the 33-28 win. The Lions gave the ball back to the Saints for a potential go-ahead drive with six minutes left, but Jameis Winston couldn't lead another touchdown drive and had the Saints had to punt. Detroit ran the final three minutes off the clock to escape New Orleans with the win despite being outscored 21-9 in the second half.

The Lions built a 21-0 lead immediately thanks to a perfect start on both sides of the ball, and the early lead proved to be enough to outlast the Saints. Jameson Williams' touchdown to begin the fourth quarter, aided by a Josh Paschal fumble recovery, proved to be the difference on the scoreboard late. Brian Branch also had an interception during the run early which set up Detroit's second touchdown.

Sam LaPorta led the way with a career-high 140 receiving yards and one touchdown on nine catches. Jared Goff bounced back from two rough weeks to guide the offense with a steady hand and no turnovers. He finished 16-of-25 for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs was the team's leading rusher with 60 yards on eight carries, while David Montgomery handled most of the work with 18 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown.

7:30, fourth quarter: Kamara powers in for second TD, Lions lead cut to 33-28

The Saints just won't go away despite the Lions best efforts. Alvin Kamara powered in for his second one-yard touchdown of the game to cut the Lions lead to five heading into the final stretch. The drive lasted 12 plays and covered 75 yards. Derek Carr was knocked out of the game on a hit from Bruce Irvin, which was ruled pass interference and extended the drive on third down. Jameis Winston stepped in and immediately got the Saints to the goal line on a 30-yard completion to Chris Olave. Brian Branch had a chance at the interception on the play, but instead accidentally tipped it into Olave's hands.

14:07, fourth quarter: Jameson Williams scored on reverse after Josh Paschal fumble recovery, Lions lead 33-21

The Lions had a picture-perfect start to the fourth quarter to extend the lead back to two touchdowns.

On the first play of the fourth, Derek Carr dropped a snap from under center and Lions defensive end Josh Paschal pounced to give Detroit the ball back at the New Orleans' 26. On the second play, Jameson Williams took a double reverse around the right edge and used his track speed to race to the pylon for his first career rushing touchdown. He exploded around the edge and followed his blocking, then dove into the end zone untouched for the 19-yard score. The Lions failed the two-point conversion attempting to go up 14.

0:00 third quarter: Lions tack on field goal, extend lead to 27-21

The Lions got a much-needed answer on offense, but it was only a field goal. The drive fizzled out inside the Saints' 10-yard line after going 65 yards in six plays. Riley Patterson hit his second chip shot of the game to extend the lead.

5:30, third quarter: Kamara scores again, Lions lead down to 24-21

The Lions lead is down to three points after a slow start to the second half. Taysom Hill powered past the goal line with a second effort to pull the Saints within a field goal. Alvin Kamara wrestled through a crowded goal line and appeared to score but was ruled short the play before. The Saints put together another long drive with timely third down conversions without much resistance from the defense. The Lions quickly went three-and-out on their first drive to add to the defensive woes.

10:04 third quarter, Saints inch closer on Kamara TD, Lions lead 24-14

The Saints showed fight on the first drive of the second half, marching down the field and scoring on an Alvin Kamara goal line run. The Saints reached the goal line on a 33-yard deep shot to Chris Olave, who beat Jerry Jacobs on a deep corner route, to reach the one-yard line to set up the plunge. The drive lasted 10 plays and spanned 75 yards.

Halftime: Lions tack on last-second field goal, lead 24-7 at break

The Lions hit a rut after the quick start on offense, punting three times, but found their groove again late in the second quarter. They knocked on the door of another touchdown but had to settle for a 26-yard field goal, which Riley Patterson hit.

The drive started with consecutive completions to Sam LaPorta to pick up 25 yards and a first down after 2nd-and-16. Jared Goff had another third down completion over the middle to Amon-Ra St. Brown to put the Lions in scoring range. Detroit ran the clock all the way down trying to convert another touchdown, but fell short at the eight-yard line.

At the half, Goff is 9-of-15 for 127 yards and two touchdowns to his top two targets, St. Brown and LaPorta. David Montgomery has 47 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and Jahmyr Gibbs has 49 yards on six carries which paced the offense's explosive start. Branch produced the main highlight on defense with the pick, but Bruce Irvin also got into the action with his first sack as a Lion. The defense has held the Saints to 123 yards and just six first downs.

8:47, second quarter: Frank Ragnow exits, questionable to return with knee injury

The Detroit Lions were at full strength on the offensive line for just over a quarter before center Frank Ragnow left the field with a knee injury. He stayed down after players rolled into the back of his legs during a block. He is questionable to return, per the team. Graham Glasgow slid to center and Corby Sorsdal entered at right guard.

9:08, second quarter: Jimmy Graham finds end zone for Saints, Lions lead 21-7

The Saints figured out their offensive woes and put together their first sustained drive, 13 plays spanning 84 yards, to start the second quarter with a touchdown. Derek Carr hit tight end Jimmy Graham, who got free from Lions safety Tracy Walker, for a six-yard touchdown. The Saints converted three third downs, including a 3rd-and-16, on the drive to march down the field to get on the scoreboard.

8:15, first quarter: Amon-Ra scores TD, Lions lead 21-0

The Lions made sure they didn't have a slow start for the third straight week with its third straight touchdown drive. This was another three-play drive, this time going 54 yards in a minute. Jared Goff found Amon-Ra St. Brown on a slant, and he shook off a defender and split the middle of the defense for a 25-yard touchdown.

10:24, first quarter: Lions capitalize with LaPorta TD, lead 14-0

And three plays later, Jared Goff hits Sam LaPorta on a 13-yard touchdown pass. Before you can grab your beer and popcorn, the Lions lead it, 14-0, in New Orleans.

11:04, first quarter: Brian Branch intercepts Derek Carr on first play

The first play on offense for the Saints is a missed pass that ricochets to rookie Brian Branch for his second interception of the season. The Lions take over at New Orleans' 17-yard line.

11:15, first quarter: Montgomery TD gives Lions 7-0 opening lead

A quick and easy drive, capped by a 2-yard TD run by David Montgomery. The drive goes seven plays for 80 yards, six of the plays were runs.

Pregame notes

The Lions midseason struggles came to a head and resulted in a disappointing loss to extend the franchise’s Thanksgiving loss streak to seven straight years. Jared Goff lost three fumbles — his second straight week with three turnovers — which helped put Detroit in a hole. The defense also struggled out of the gate, giving up touchdowns on the first two Packers drives. Those drives, coupled with the turnovers, sank their chances early.

Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said improved blocking and ball security were the keys for Detroit to get the offense back to its potent roots. The Lions still rank seventh in points scored (26.7 per game) and second in yards (405.5 per game) but now have a negative turnover differential (minus-5) thanks to the giveaways the last two games.

Glenn said the defense needs to improve in all three phases but there were positives to build on in how the defense responded in tough spots due to turnovers in the last two weeks. The Lions defense now ranks 24th in the NFL in scoring (23.5) after giving up an average of 31 points over the last three weeks. The defense still ranks 10th in yards allowed (318.8 yards per game) but has struggled to generate turnovers or slow down opposing quarterbacks to get off the field.

The Saints offense is 18th in points scored (20.8 points per game) and 12th in total offense (347.1 yards per game) and has weapons to offer plenty of headaches. Alvin Kamara leads the NFL in receptions by a running back (54) and will play alongside former Lion Jamaal Williams in the backfield. Tight end Taysom Hill will play all over the field in different positions and the team’s leading receiver, Chris Olave, will be active after spending most of the week in concussion protocol.

Another former Saint turned prominent Lion — starting middle linebacker Alex Anzalone — is out against his previous team after suffering a hand injury on Thanksgiving. Jack Campbell will fill in and call defensive plays from the middle in his first opportunity to lead the defense. Veteran defensive end Bruce Irvin is set to make his Lions debut after being picked up midseason with hopes he can assist Detroit’s flailing pass rush.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints: game recap, highlights