Missing man: It's becoming clearer by the week that Taylor Decker is one of the most important players on this football team. The Lions have had a heck of a time protecting quarterback Matthew Stafford the first six weeks of the season without their starting left tackle. In the last three weeks alone, Stafford's been sacked 17 times. Decker won't solve all of Detroit's issues up front, obviously, but it will be a big step forward. Decker is eligible to come off PUP starting today, and can play in two weeks vs. Pittsburgh, if he's cleared by doctors and coaches. – *Tim Twentyman
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Go for it: It should never be a surprise when head coach Jim Caldwell is aggressive. That was the case at the end of the first half Sunday, when he passed up a field goal on fourth and five to try for a touchdown. Darren Fells' was about a foot short of the goal line on a pass from Matthew Stafford. As Caldwell explained after the game, it still would have been a three-possession game with a field goal. – Mike O'Hara
Deflated quarterback: Stafford seemed the most dejected I've seen him in a long time after Sunday's game. When asked about his demeanor in the postgame press conference, Stafford said he was just tired. Stafford didn't look tired to me, he looked frustrated. Frustrated by the five turnovers he committed, by the 12 tipped passes at the line of scrimmage, by the constant pressure he faced all game, by the three defensive touchdowns for the Saints, and by another loss. – Tim Twentyman
Line dance: An amazing part of the Lions' comeback to cut a 45-10 deficit to 45-38 was the patch job required on the offensive line. Right guard T.J. Lang didn't play because of a back injury. Both tackles – Rick Wagner and Greg Robinson – had to be replaced in the second half. – *Mike O'Hara
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Good with bad: Jamal Agnew's 74-yard punt-return touchdown early in the fourth quarter showed off the rookie's vision and speed – and maybe a little bit of immaturity committing the taunting penalty down 21 points at the time. He's certainly talented, but with rookies, you sometimes have to take the good with the bad. His muffed punt at the Lions 11-yard line with 5:23 put the Lions in terrible field position for their potential game-tying drive. Agnew booted the catch and was forced to recover his own mistake at the Lions 1-yard line. Play calling at the 11-yard line vs. the 1-yard line are quite different. Two plays later, Stafford threw the game-clinching interception. – Tim Twentyman
Cooler Brees: Maybe less of prolific Drew Brees is the answer for the Saints when they play the Lions. He threw for 186 yards, and the Saints ran for 193 in the win. In last year's loss, he threw for 330, and the Saints ran for 69. And in the 2015 loss, he threw for 319 and the Saints ran for 50. – Mike O'Hara
NFC North landscape: While Sunday's loss was certainly deflating for the Lions, who dropped to 3-3 on the year, what transpired in Minnesota with the Packers not only losing to the Vikings, but also losing quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the season with a broken collarbone, has changed the landscape of the NFC North. Suddenly, the Lions are the only NFC North team playing with the quarterback they began the season with. The next 10 games – five of which are against NFC North foes – should be interesting. – Tim Twentyman
