The Detroit Lions hit the road for the first of two straight road games to take on the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome this afternoon. It's a big game for both teams as the Saints try to keep pace with the Falcons for first place in the NFC South. Detroit's looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season and extend their lead in the NFC North to three games over the Vikings.

Here are five things to look out for in today's matchup:


1. BACK TOGETHER?


Starting left guard Jonah Jackson was back to being a full participant in practice Thursday and Friday and that's a good sign he could be back in the lineup today after missing the last two games with a wrist injury. Jackson was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report. That would be good news for a Detroit offensive line coming off arguably its most uneven performance of the year on Thanksgiving against the Packers. Detroit rushed for 140 yards, but in pass protection they allowed three sacks and 12 quarterback hits.


That's a pretty prideful group in the o-line room and they'll be looking for a bounce-back performance with their starting five – Taylor Decker, Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow and Penei Sewell – potentially starting together for just the third time this season.

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5 things to watch: Lions at Saints

Dec 03, 2023 at 07:00 AM

twentyman

Tim Twentyman

Senior Writer



The Detroit Lions hit the road for the first of two straight road games to take on the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome this afternoon. It's a big game for both teams as the Saints try to keep pace with the Falcons for first place in the NFC South. Detroit's looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season and extend their lead in the NFC North to three games over the Vikings.


Here are five things to look out for in today's matchup:


1. BACK TOGETHER?


Starting left guard Jonah Jackson was back to being a full participant in practice Thursday and Friday and that's a good sign he could be back in the lineup today after missing the last two games with a wrist injury. Jackson was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report. That would be good news for a Detroit offensive line coming off arguably its most uneven performance of the year on Thanksgiving against the Packers. Detroit rushed for 140 yards, but in pass protection they allowed three sacks and 12 quarterback hits.


That's a pretty prideful group in the o-line room and they'll be looking for a bounce-back performance with their starting five – Taylor Decker, Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow and Penei Sewell – potentially starting together for just the third time this season.

Lions at Saints: Week 13 Game Trailer

2. BALL SECURITY


The Lions have made it an emphasis this week and we've seen it in the portion of practice open to the media after Detroit turned the ball over seven times in their last two contests. Quarterback Jared Goff in particular talked this week about being more careful with the football, especially when he breaks the pocket.


The Saints' defense enters today's contest second in the NFL with 14 interceptions and tied for fourth with 20 takeaways total. It's an opportunistic group and the last thing the Lions want to do on the road is give the Saints extra possessions and short fields due to their mistakes.