The New Orleans Saints attempted to rally in the fourth quarter, but came up just short to the Detroit Lions (5-9) on Monday night.
The Lions struck first midway through the first with a quick drive that ended with a short pass from Matthew Stafford to Golden Tate for the opening score.
The Saints responded on their next drive with a 12 play drive down the field, but the Saints had to settle for a 45-yard field goal from Kai Forbath to cut away at the lead.
The Lions continued to strike quickly with a four play drive that led Stafford connecting with Michael Burton to go up 14-3.
After the Lions defense forced the Saints to punt, Detroit marched down the field with a methodical drive down the field that led to Stafford once again connecting with Tate.
The Saints tried to cut the lead to 21-10 heading into the locker room, but after a Brandin Cooks touchdown was reversed, the Saints were unable to get a score before the first half ended due to a ineligible player downfield on the final play of the half that the initial result was a touchdown.
The Lions piled on the score to start the second half with a 15-yard run by standout rookie Ameer Abdullah to put Detroit up 28-3.
Drew Brees gave the Saints new life with a 27-yard pass to Cooks to cut the lead to 28-10. Forbath got the Saints within two possessions on the Saints next drive with a chip shot field goal.
The Saints defense stepped up with Hau’oli Kikaha forcing and recovering a fumble by Abdullah to give the offense the ball with fantastic field position. Brees capitalized on the turnover and connected with Marques Colston to make it 28-20 with 10 minutes left in regulation.
But the Lions kept the Saints at bay with an almost 5 minute drive that ended with Joique Bell scoring from one yard out to make it 35-20.
But the Saints did not give up, going down the field and Brees found Ben Watson on a short pass to make it 35-27.
After a missed field goal by Detroit, the Saints had one chance to tie it up and were unable to capitalize on it.
The Saints (5-9) will stay in the confines of the Superdome to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9) on Sunday with kickoff set for 3:25 pm.
-Clint Domingue
