NFC

 

Week 1

Wrap-up: Saints 45, Lions 27

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks with Detroit Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper (11)September 13, 2009 7:27 PM

Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert

Egads.

As we noted Friday, Detroit faced a difficult matchup Sunday in New Orleans. The Lions’ defense has been overhauled from a personnel and scheme standpoint, but it’s still very much a work in progress. Defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham is hoping to cover for some deficiencies by blitzing up tNew Orleans Saints running back Mike Bell runs past Detroit Lions linebacker Larry Foote (55) and defensive end Dewayne Whiteo 40 percent of the time, but the Lions ran into the wrong quarterback and wrong offense to test that plan Sunday.

Detroit pressured New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees butnever sacked him. Instead, the Saints quarterback burned the blitz by throwing six -- that’s right, six -- touchdown passes in a 45-27 victory. The Lions no doubt missed cornerback Phillip Buchanon, who sat out because of a neck injury, but honestly, I’m not sure how much difference he would have made. Very few defensive backs can stay with receivers if the blitz doesn’t get there in time.

The Lions offense has gotten most of the preseason attention, thanks to the development of quarterback Matthew Stafford and the presence of receiver Calvin Johnson. But Detroit’s win-loss total is going to be more tied to the state of its defense than the production of their offense this season.

Sunday was an extreme example given the opponent. But over time, the blitz has to disrupt the opposing quarterback or it will do more harm than good.