We’re in for the New Orleans Saints’ (5-6) toughest game of the year with the Detroit Lions (8-3) coming to town, featuring a slew of former Saints coaches and players on their sideline. Does Dennis Allen’s team have enough firepower to keep up with them? Can his defense create enough stops to make a difference?
Our thoughts on all that and more in our Week 13 final score predictions:
Lions 31, Saints 13
The Saints limited weapons on offense will limit an already limited offense. The Saints have also struggled defensively for weeks and are facing one of their toughest challenges of the season. The defense will force a turnover that leads to points, but both units will struggle this week. — Darrion Gray
Lions 38, Saints 19
The Saints defense has been their primary source of stability, as they were kept in games due to almost that exclusively. Now, Marshon Lattimore is on injured reserve, Marcus Maye is out, Pete Werner is out, and Cameron Jordan is questionable. That spells disaster, as overcoming all of those injuries on top of injuries (Chris Olave, Erik McCoy, Rashid Shaheed, Kendre Miller) to an offense that is already stagnant will be extremely difficult to contend with. Going up against a Detroit Lions squad out for blood after losing last week to a divisional rival doesn’t help anything either. — Jeremy Trottier
Lions 34, Saints 20
It may be crazy of me to think that the Saints will score two touchdowns, but I do think they will sell out to find the endzone in this one after the last week of frustration. The Lions are a good team that will be hard to beat, though. It’s going to another annoying watch, that’s for sure. — Dylan Sanders
Lions 27, Saints 20
The Lions don’t look as dominant as they were earlier this season after a near-shutout loss to the Ravens and too-close wins over the Chargers and Bears preceded a devastating home loss to the Packers on Thanksgiving. But they’re a better-coached team than the Saints, and they have a more impressive body of work. — John Sigler
