Burning questions in the Detroit Lions' 35-29 loss to the New Orleans Saints:
Question: A promising beginning, with the Lions scoring on their first two possessions for a 14-0 lead, turned into a loss that was more one-sided than the score indicated.
What was the most disappointing part of the loss?
Answer: It's hard to pick out one thing with the way the Saints took command of the game after falling behind, but the way the Lions were thoroughly dominated was disappointing and discouraging.
When they scored on their first two possessions – setting up the second one with an interception on the Saints' first play of the game – it looked like the Lions were going to back up last week's road win over the Cardinals with a second straight win.
That would have sent them into the bye week with a 2-2 record and a two-game winning streak. Instead, they're 1-3 and have to stew for an extra week on how they missed an opportunity to build some momentum.
That cannot be a very appetizing thought for anyone in the franchise, from top to bottom.
View photos from Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints Week 4 game at Ford Field on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit
Detroit Lions cornerback Amani Oruwariye (24) warming up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions defensive lineman John Penisini (91) warming up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) warming up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) warming up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) warming up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions cornerback Desmond Trufant (23) before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) warming up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) warming up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32), Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11), and Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) celebrate after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
The Detroit Lions during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions safety Jayron Kearse (42) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara (95) sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back Adrian Peterson (28) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions longsnapper Don Muhlbach (48) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (30) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker (21) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) kicks off during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) and Detroit Lions fullback Jason Cabinda (45) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions longsnapper Don Muhlbach (48) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Williams (97) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
The Detroit Lions during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) punts during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions linebacker Christian Jones (52) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back Adrian Peterson (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back Adrian Peterson (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Question: If there was a turning point, what was it?
Answer: A key play was an interception by quarterback Matthew Stafford midway through the second quarter. It was 14-14, and the Lions had first down at the Saints' 11 yards line.
Stafford was looking to hit tight end T.J. Hockenson in the end zone, but Stafford said he underthrew the pass. Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson got in front of Hockenson to make the interception.
The Lions got no points out of the possession, while the Saints got possession and drove to their third straight touchdown.
Question: Did the way the Saints took over the game remind you of anything?
Answer: Yes, and unfortunately it happened only two weeks ago in Green Bay. The Lions had a 14-3 lead in the first quarter when the Packers scored 31 straight points to take over the game in a 42-21 win.
The Saints outdid the Packers. They scored 35 straight points.
That's not an indication of a team improving. Just the opposite, in fact.
Question: What was the most telling part of the Saints' 35-point surge?
Answer: It was scoring on five straight possessions, and there were no cheap touchdowns. The five drives covered 75, 80, 80, 49 and 75 yards. There were plenty of opportunities in all of the possessions for the defense to make a stop, but they didn't.
The bottom line: On a day when the Lions had a meaningful game in October, they fell short.
