Week 16 Game Recap: Detroit Lions 13, New Orleans Saints 12

What you need to know

Detroit Lions

In a game of offensive offenses the Detroit Lions prevailed on a game winning 39 yard field goal by Jason Hanson. Hanson on the day had two field goals and Shaun Rogers returned a New Orleans fumble 21 yards for his first touchdown of his career. Joey Harrington led the Lions down the field with 1:52 left in the game. Harrington and Roy Williams hooked up twice for a total of 55 yards on the game winning drive.

The Lions running game once again was stagnant as they finished with 71 yards on the ground. Artose Pinner led the Lions with 57 yards on 20 carries. Harrington completed 17 of 30 for 210 yards and an interception.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints long, painful season continued as they took a 12-10 lead with 1:52 left in the game only to have their defense allow the Lions to march down the field for a game winning field goal. The Saints had opportunities in Lions’ territory but were unable to cash in any touchdowns. Todd Bouman completed 21 of 38 attempts for 233 yards but failed to connect with his receivers in the red zone.

The Saints’ running game was even worse than the Lions rushing attack. The Saints finished the game with 47 yards on 25 carries. Antowain Smith led the team in rushing with 33 yards on 13 carries. Aaron Stecker’s second quarter fumble led to the only touchdown of the game, a 21 yard recovery and return by Shaun Rogers.

What you ought to know

QB Joey Harrington, Pass: 17 - 30 - 210 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rec: 1 - -4 - 0

Harrington’s numbers on the day were 17 of 30 for 210 yards with an interception. He was victimized by a number of drops and his lacking running game. Harrington did deliver in crunch time and led the team down the field completing key passes to Roy Williams that led to the ultimate game winning field goal by Jason Hanson.

RB Artose Pinner, Rush: 20 - 57 - 0, Rec: 4 - 31 - 0 (4 targets)

Pinner led the Lions in rushing with 57 yards on 20 carries. He also caught the four balls thrown his way for another 31 yards of offense.

RB Shawn Bryson, Rush: 4 - 14 - 0

Bryson had four carries for 14 yards as he was used mostly to spell Artose Pinner.

WR Roy Williams, Rec: 4 - 111 - 0 (8 targets)

Williams caught four of the eight passes thrown his way for 111 yards. Williams had a couple of costly drops on the afternoon but came up large with the game on the line on the team’s final drive. He and Harrington hooked up twice on the final drive for 55 yards.

WR Mike Williams, Rec: 1 - 21 - 0 (5 targets)

Williams had one catch for 21 yards on the afternoon.

WR Scott Vines (2 targets)

Vines was largely ignored on the day and did not register a catch on the day. Both his targets came in the fourth quarter.

TE Marcus Pollard, Rec: 6 - 44 - 0 (8 targets)

Pollard tied Roy Williams for the team lead in targets on the day. He finished with 44 yards on six catches.

PK Jason Hanson 2 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 7 points

Hanson’s game winning 39 yard field goal was the 15th of his career. On the afternoon Hanson was good from 39 and 21 yards out and was good on his only extra point attempt.

DET Rush Defense

The Lions rush defense was solid once again as they limited the Saints to 47 yards on 25 rushing attempts. James Hall forced an Aaron Stecker fumble that Shaun Rogers recovered and returned 21 yards for the Lions only touchdown of the day.

DET Pass Defense

The Lions pass defense was solid particularly in the red zone as they forced the Saints to settle for field goals on all four of their red zone visits. James Hall had the team’s lone sack.

QB Todd Bouman, Pass: 21 - 38 - 233 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 6 - 0

Bouman finished 21 of 38 for 233 yards and was able to move the offense between the twenties. He struggled in the red zone forcing the team to settle for field goals.

RB Antowain Smith, Rush: 13 - 33 - 0, Rec: 2 - 5 - 0 (2 targets)

Smith led the Saints in rushing with 33 yards on 13 attempts.

RB Aaron Stecker, Rush: 7 - 5 - 0, Rec: 2 - 13 - 0 (3 targets)

Stecker made two catches for 13 yards and five rushing yards on seven attempts. His fumble in the second quarter led to a Lions’ touchdown.

RB Mike Karney, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (2 targets)

Karney caught one of the two passes thrown his way and finished with eight yards.

WR Joe Horn, Rec: 6 - 70 - 0 (10 targets)

Horn did not receive his first look until the second half. He finished with six catches for 70 yards.

WR Donte Stallworth, Rush: 1 - 3 - 0, Rec: 2 - 47 - 0 (9 targets)

Stallworth caught two of the nine balls thrown his way for 47 yards.

WR Az-zahir Hakim, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (3 targets)

Hakim had one catch for seven yards.

TE Zachary Hilton, Rec: 7 - 83 - 0 (8 targets)

Hilton led the team with a career high seven catches for 83 yards. He was targeted frequently in the flat as a Bouman safety valve.

PK John Carney 4 - 4 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 12 points

Carney was perfect on the day converting field goals of 35, 47, 33 and 20 yards.

NO Rush Defense

The Saints run defense held the Lions to 71 yards on 24 attempts. Linebacker Colby Bockwoldt led the team with seven tackles.

NO Pass Defense

The Saints pass defense played strongly through three plus quarters. A meltdown with 1:52 left in the game cost them as they allowed 67 of the Lions total 210 passing yards on the final drive. Fred Thomas saved an early Lions touchdown when he stepped in front of Roy Williams in the end zone and picked off the Harrington pass.