3 key stats for Detroit Lions' season opener vs. Saints
The Detroit Lions open their season at home, hosting the New Orleans Saints. Here are three key stats that could tell the story of the game.
Here are the key stats for the Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints season opener:
1. The 2025 Saints were ranked 8th in yards per carry allowed, with a league-high 4.0 yards allowed per carry. This indicates their defense was effective against the run, which could give the Lions' offense pause in their attempts to gain yards. However, the Saints played a number of superior teams early in the season, which may not fully reflect their true defensive abilities.
2. The Lions have an entirely new offensive line entering 2026 after a particularly disappointing unit last season. Only right guard Tate Ratledge remains in the same position as last year. Rookie Blake Miller will start at right tackle, while Christian Mahogany starts at left guard and Juice Scruggs starts at center. This change in the offensive line could impact the Lions' passing and running games, potentially affecting their performance against the Saints' defense.
3. The Saints allowed the 8th-most sacks in 2025, with an average of 2.88 sacks per game. This is indicative of their defensive struggles, particularly in pass protection, as they had one of the worst passing offenses in the league despite adding some new weapons for their quarterback. The Lions' defensive line has improved and is more versatile than in recent years, which could prove challenging for the Saints' offensive players.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
