The Detroit Lions will host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in Week 1 NFL showdown on FOX.
The Lions enter 2026 on the back of four consecutive winning seasons, tied for the second-longest streak in franchise history. Detroit is also tied with Buffalo and Philadelphia for the best record in the NFL over the last three seasons at 36-15.
However, the Lions took a step back last season.
After winning at least 12 games and the NFC North in 2023 and 2024, going an NFL-best 27-7 over that span, Detroit finished 9-8 in 2025 and missed the playoffs.
The point was not the offense. Detroit averaged 28.3 points per game, fourth most in the NFL, while ranking fifth in total offense (388.7 YPG) and third in passing. The defense was a different story, allowing 24.3 points per game (22nd) and 351.4 total yards per game (19th).
Meanwhile, the Saints have lost at least 10 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1996-99.
But New Orleans enters 2026 with some momentum after winning four of its last five games last season. Quarterback Tyler Shough emerged as a bright spot during that stretch, throwing for 1,316 yards, fifth most in the NFL. He also ranked fourth in both explosive completions of 16-plus yards and completion percentage (69.9%).
The Saints revamped their offensive line this offseason and added Travis Etienne Jr. to lead the backfield. Etienne rushed for 1,107 yards last season, 11th most in the NFL, while adding 36 catches for 292 yards and six touchdowns, tied for second among rushing yards. He finished with 1,399 scrimmage yards and 13 total touchdowns.
These teams last met in 2023 when the Lions went on the road and defeated the Saints 33-28.
With that, let’s take a look at the odds for Lions vs. Saints on FanDuel Sportsbook as of Sept. 13.
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Money line
- Lions: -335 (bet $10 to win $12.99 total)
- Saints: +270 (bet $10 to win $37 total)
SPREAD
- Lions -6.5: -120 (bet $10 to win $18.33 total)
- Saints +6.5: +100 (bet $10 to win $20 total)
Over/Under
- Above 49.5: -110 (bet $10 to win $19.09 total)
- Under 49.5: -110 (bet $10 to win $19.09 total)
From FOX Sports Research:
There are many reasons to expect points in this match.
Detroit hired Drew Petzing as its third offensive coordinator in three seasons after he spent the past three years running Arizona’s offense. The Cardinals averaged 4.9 yards per carry under Petzing, the second-best mark in the NFL during that span, which should pair well with an already explosive Lions offense.
Jared Goff has now thrown for at least 4,500 yards in three straight seasons, and he was especially effective against top safeties in 2025, throwing an NFL-high 20 touchdowns. That’s important against a New Orleans defense that used the high safety on 62.9% of its snaps last season, the second-highest rate in the league.
New Orleans should be able to contribute in scoring as well. Tyler Shough finished the 2025 season strong, ranking in the top 10 in completion percentage (69.2%), yards per attempt (7.6) and passer rating (95.8) from Weeks 9-18. Shough also makes a favorable matchup against a Detroit defense that played man coverage at the second-highest rate in the NFL last season (39.7%) and allowed 58 completions of 20+ yards, tied for fourth. Shough posted a 102.6 passer rating with three touchdowns and no interceptions against man coverage last season, and with the Lions already dealing with injuries in the secondary, New Orleans should have opportunities to create explosive plays.
Detroit is expected to be involved in many high-scoring games early in the season, starting on Sunday.
How to watch Lions vs. Saints
- Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- TV: FOX
- Transmission: Watch 3 days for free on FOX One, FOXSports.comThe FOX Sports app
- Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI