Every week during the regular season, the opposing head coach speaks to the Detroit media via conference call. This week it was Saints head coach Sean Payton.
So, what did Payton have to say about Sunday's matchup?
1. Payton didn't mince words when asked Wednesday to give his insight to Saints writers on why the Lions have beaten his team in each of the last three years. Payton started rolling out statistic after statistic.
View photos of the starters for the New Orleans Saints.
Backed up by 16 Brandon Coleman and 80 Austin Carr
Backed up by 71 Ryan Ramczyk
Backed up by 65 Senio Kelemete
Backed up by 61 Josh LeRibeus
Backed up by 65 Senio Kelemete
Backed up by Bryce Harris
Backed up by 89 Josh Hill and 84 Michael Hoomanawanui
Backed up by 83 Willie Snead and 11 Tommylee Lewis
Backed up by 10 Chase Daniel and 7 Taysom Hill
Backed up by 41 Alvin Kamara and Daniel Lasco
Backed up by 91 Trey Hendrickson
Backed up by 70 Michael Loewen
Backed up by 93 David Onyemata
Backed up by 44 Hau'oli Kikaha and 97 Al-Quadin Muhammad
Backed up by 47 Alex Anzalone
Backed up by 44 Stephone Anthony
Backed up by 54 Nathan Stupar
Backed up by 20 Ken Crawley and 21 De'Vante Harris
Backed up by 25 Rafael Bush and 31 Chris Banjo
Backed up by 43 Marcus Williams
Backed up by 24 Sterling Moore and 40 Delvin Breaux
Backed up by 41 Alvin Kamara
"In those three games, 63 points, Saints, 87 Detroit," he said. "In those three games, we converted 35% on third down. They converted 46%. In those three games we've rushed for 192, they've rushed for 294. In those three games, five turnovers, Saints (and) three for the Lions. QB hurries, New Orleans hurried their quarterback or hit or sacked their quarterback 27 times. Detroit hit, hurried or sacked Drew (Brees) 42 times."
2. The Saints traded running back Adrian Peterson to Arizona this week. The reality of the situation in New Orleans is that rookie running back Alvin Kamara has emerged as a versatile threat in the Saints' offense, which made Peterson expendable. Payton called Kamara a smart and versatile player that adds a different dimension to the Saints' offense.
3. Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin made creating more turnovers a big point of emphasis this offseason. It's worked so far, as Detroit is third in the NFL with 11 takeaways. In New Orleans, Payton said they put an emphasis on ball security and limiting turnovers this offseason. The Saints are the only team in the league without a turnover so far this year.
4. When asked about Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, Payton said the three things that make him tough to play against are his quick decision making, his accuracy and his quick throwing stroke. In the last three games vs. New Orleans -- all wins for Detroit -- Stafford has completed 74 percent of his passes for 894 yards with seven touchdowns and two picks.
5. Consider Payton a Glover Quin fan. Payton said it's hard to put a measure on how important instincts are for a safety, but when you add them to Quin's superior ball skills, Payton said the end result is a terrific player. Don't forget it was a Quin interception that iced the win for Detroit back in 2015 against New Orleans.
6. Brees and Payton have been together for 12 seasons now. When asked about Brees at age 38 vs. the Brees of 10 years ago, Payton had a great line. "I don't see age until I see his kids."
