The first game in NFL history to match two 5,000 yard quarterbacks was anticipated to be a shootout, and there was nothing disappointing about the Saints-Lions Wild Card playoff game. But no one could keep up with Drew Brees and the Saints offense, as they easily defeated the Lions 45-28 in what turned into a second half blowout.
Brees became the first quarterback in NFL history to have two consecutive 400+ yard passing performances in back-to-back playoff games. On the heels of his record-setting 5,476 passing yard season, Brees threw for 466 yards and 3 TDs, and looked to be in Super Bowl form.
The entire Saints offense was unstoppable in the second half, as they also ran for 167 yards, and totaled 626 yards of offense. What was a close 10-7 game at the half turned into a blowout as the Saints scored touchdowns on five consecutive drives to start the second half. The only thing that stopped them in the second half was the end of the game, as they knelt down 3 times on the 2-yard line at the end of the game, saving the Lions the embarrassment of giving up over 50 points.
The Saints running game was well distributed, as it has been all season, with Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles and Chris Ivory each getting at least 8 carries and at least 40 yards. Thomas had 8 rushes for 66 yards and 1 TD, Sproles had 10 for 51, with 2 TDs and Chris Ivory had 13 for 47.
Brees also distributed the ball effectively to his talented group of receivers, as he had two receivers over 100 yards, and five receivers over 50 yards. Marques Colston led the receivers with 7 catches for 120 yards, while Robert Meacham had 4 catches for 111 yards and 1 TD. Devery Henderson had 64 yards and 1 TD, and tight end Jimmy Graham had 7 catches for 55 yards and 1 TD.
The Lions looked like they would hang in there, and they did throw the ball effectively, although their running game wasn’t up to the task. Matthew Stafford followed his 5,038 yard regular season and his 520 yard performance in the season finale with a solid game. He completed 28 of 43 for 380 yards and 3 TDs, but he also had 2 INTs.
The Lions were only able to get 32 yards on the ground, which made their offense one-dimensional and predictable.
Wide receiver Calvin Johnson had another monster night, as he caught 12 passes for 211 yards and 2 TDs (following his season finale game which included 11 receptions for 244 yards and 1 TD).
The Saints will travel west to take on the San Francisco 49ers, with the top ranked defense in the NFC. If Brees and company play like they did tonight, the 49ers defense will have their hands full. The Saints offense is the hottest offense in the league right now. They have won 9 games in a row, and their victory over the Lions was their fourth consecutive victory scoring 42 or more points.
