- May 21, 2026
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The Lions and Saints played an epic Week 1 game that couldn't be decided in 60 minutes, but after each team scored an overtime touchdown, Detroit ultimately prevailed.
Saints quarterback Tyler Shough's two-point conversion pass was incomplete out the back of the end zone on the final play of overtime, and the Lions survived 31-30.
For most of the game, it looked like the Lions would win easily: Detroit led 21-0 in the third quarter and seemed poised to cruise to an easy win. Instead, the Lions choked the lead away and easily could have lost in regulation: Saints kicker Daniel Carlson lined up for a game-winning field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter, but his 62-yard attempt missed.
There were some positives for the Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs, whom the Lions made the highest-paid running back in the NFL last month, delivered in a big way, with 156 yards rushing and two touchdowns. And Aidan Hutchinson sacked Shough twice. But for the Lions, the big question coming out of the game is why they couldn't put the Saints away when they should have.
For the Saints, it was a heartbreaking loss but a sign that Shough is starting to grow within Kellen Moore's offense. The heavily favored Lions won, but the Saints have to feel good about the way they fought until the end.
Saints quarterback Tyler Shough's two-point conversion pass was incomplete out the back of the end zone on the final play of overtime, and the Lions survived 31-30.
For most of the game, it looked like the Lions would win easily: Detroit led 21-0 in the third quarter and seemed poised to cruise to an easy win. Instead, the Lions choked the lead away and easily could have lost in regulation: Saints kicker Daniel Carlson lined up for a game-winning field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter, but his 62-yard attempt missed.
There were some positives for the Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs, whom the Lions made the highest-paid running back in the NFL last month, delivered in a big way, with 156 yards rushing and two touchdowns. And Aidan Hutchinson sacked Shough twice. But for the Lions, the big question coming out of the game is why they couldn't put the Saints away when they should have.
For the Saints, it was a heartbreaking loss but a sign that Shough is starting to grow within Kellen Moore's offense. The heavily favored Lions won, but the Saints have to feel good about the way they fought until the end.