1. The New Orleans Saints and the Detroit Lions have met 25 times (including one postseason game), with the Lions winning 12 games and the Saints winning 12 games. They have tied once. The Saints have lost the last three games in the series including last season's 28-13 defeat in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
- Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has endured 12 sacks and 14 hits in the last two games. Stafford continued playing in Sunday's game vs. the Carolina Panthers after being taped on his leg, shoulder, and suffering an ankle injury in the fourth quarter.
- If Stafford is unable to play Sunday, the Lions will look to Jake Rudock. Rudock is a two-year vet who completed 37 of 56 passes in the 2017 preseason, and has played in one regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals.
- Where the Lions offense is lacking (28th in total yards), the defense is picking up the slack. The Lions defense held Carolina to 28 rushing yards on 28 carries. Defensively the Lions rank No. 20 in total yards with 1,652.
- Lions defensive end Tahir Whitehead has 83 tackles and averages 8.3 per game.
- Lions safety Glover Quin is the only player in the NFL with two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
- Detroit dropped to 3-2 after last Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers but rallied to score 14 fourth quarter points. In 2016 the Lions were the best comeback team in NFL history after eight come-from-behind wins in the fourth quarter or overtime according to ESPN writer Michael Rothstein.
8. Starting defensive tackle Haloti Ngata suffered an elbow injury Sunday and could be questionable to play against New Orleans. Look for more details Wednesday when the first injury report is released.
9. Lions running back Ameer Abdullah has a total of 288 yards and is averaging 57.6 yards per game. Abdullah is ranked No. 16 in yards per game.
10. Lions Coach Jim Caldwell was the coach of the Indianapolis Colts when the Saints defeated the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.
