The New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats from the 2026 NFL Week 1 matchup produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the opening weekend. Detroit defeated New Orleans 31-30 in overtime at Ford Field on September 13, 2026. The Lions built a 21-point advantage before the Saints mounted an incredible comeback, forcing overtime and putting themselves in position to win. Detroit ultimately survived when New Orleans failed on a two-point conversion after scoring an overtime touchdown.
Jahmyr Gibbs was the standout player for Detroit, rushing for 156 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. Jared Goff completed 26 of 39 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns, both to Amon-Ra St. Brown. On the Saints’ side, rookie quarterback Tyler Shough threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns, while Chris Olave produced 182 yards on 10 receptions. The Saints’ comeback made the game extremely competitive, but Detroit’s overtime touchdown proved decisive.
Final Score Table
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 0 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 30 |
| Detroit Lions | 7 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 31 |
Detroit controlled the early portion of the contest. Jahmyr Gibbs scored a one-yard touchdown in the first quarter, giving the Lions a 7-0 lead. Neither team added points in the second quarter, but Detroit quickly extended its advantage after halftime when Gibbs scored again and Goff connected with St. Brown for a 19-yard touchdown. That sequence pushed the Lions ahead 21-0 and appeared to put the game firmly in Detroit’s hands.
The Saints, however, completely changed the momentum. Kendre Miller scored on an eight-yard run, Devaughn Vele added a touchdown reception, and Juwan Johnson later caught a touchdown pass that helped New Orleans force overtime. Detroit then answered in overtime through Goff and St. Brown, but New Orleans scored another touchdown before failing to convert the two-point attempt that would have won the game.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions |
| Date | September 13, 2026 |
| International Date | September 14, 2026 in some time zones |
| Venue | Ford Field, Detroit |
| Competition | NFL Regular Season |
| Week | Week 1 |
| Final Result | Detroit Lions 31-30 New Orleans Saints |
| Result Type | Overtime |
| Lions Record | 1-0 |
| Saints Record | 0-1 |
The matchup was played at Ford Field in Detroit as both teams opened their 2026 regular seasons. Detroit appeared to be cruising after establishing a 21-0 lead, but the Saints showed tremendous resilience during the second half. New Orleans’ passing attack became increasingly effective, allowing Shough to repeatedly attack the Lions’ secondary and bring the Saints back into contention.
The final moments were particularly dramatic. After Detroit scored in overtime to move ahead 31-24, New Orleans responded with an eight-yard touchdown pass from Shough to Noah Fant. Saints head coach Kellen Moore chose to attempt a two-point conversion for the win rather than kick for a tie, but Shough’s pass to Bryce Lance fell incomplete. That ended the comeback and secured Detroit’s narrow victory.
New Orleans Saints Player Stats
| Player | Passing | Rushing | Receiving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Shough | 35/56, 410 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT | 4 carries, 8 yards | — |
| Travis Etienne Jr. | — | 9 carries, 46 yards | 7 receptions, 32 yards |
| Kendre Miller | — | 9 carries, 30 yards, 1 TD | 1 reception, 19 yards |
| Chris Olave | — | — | 10 receptions, 182 yards |
| Devaughn Vele | — | — | 7 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD |
| Juwan Johnson | — | — | 3 receptions, 54 yards, 1 TD |
| Noah Fant | — | — | 4 receptions, 33 yards, 1 TD |
Tyler Shough delivered a remarkable statistical performance despite the defeat. The Saints quarterback completed 35 of 56 passes for 410 yards and three touchdowns, although he also threw two interceptions. His passing volume increased as New Orleans attempted to erase the huge deficit, and he repeatedly found Chris Olave and other targets for significant gains.
Chris Olave was the Saints’ leading offensive weapon. He caught 10 passes for 182 yards, including several explosive receptions that helped New Orleans sustain its comeback. Devaughn Vele added seven catches for 69 yards and a touchdown, while Juwan Johnson scored another touchdown. Noah Fant ultimately caught the overtime touchdown that gave the Saints a chance to win the game.
Detroit Lions Player Stats
| Player | Passing | Rushing | Receiving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Goff | 26/39, 206 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT | 2 carries, 2 yards | — |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | — | 29 carries, 156 yards, 2 TD | 5 receptions, 30 yards |
| Sione Vaki | — | 2 carries, 7 yards | — |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | — | — | 10 receptions, 67 yards, 2 TD |
| Sam LaPorta | — | — | 5 receptions, 48 yards |
| Jameson Williams | — | — | 4 receptions, 45 yards |
Jared Goff played an efficient game for Detroit, completing 26 of 39 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. His most important connection was with Amon-Ra St. Brown, who caught both of Goff’s touchdown passes. The quarterback remained composed during overtime and found St. Brown again for the decisive four-yard touchdown.
Jahmyr Gibbs was the centerpiece of Detroit’s rushing attack. He carried 29 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns, including two one-yard scoring runs. Gibbs also added five receptions for 30 yards, making him a constant part of the Lions’ offensive game plan. His explosive running helped Detroit establish its early advantage and control possession during important stretches.
Jahmyr Gibbs Dominates on the Ground
Gibbs produced one of the best rushing performances of Week 1. His 156 yards on 29 carries averaged more than five yards per attempt, and both of his touchdowns came on short-yardage runs. His workload was especially important because Detroit relied heavily on the running game while attempting to protect its early lead.
Although the Saints eventually erased Detroit’s 21-point advantage, Gibbs remained one of the game’s biggest offensive threats. His combination of rushing production and receiving ability gave the Lions a dependable offensive weapon throughout the matchup. The performance also demonstrated why Detroit was comfortable giving him a major workload in the season opener.
Chris Olave Powers Saints Comeback
Chris Olave was arguably the most productive receiver on either team. His 10 catches for 182 yards gave the Saints a reliable downfield option throughout the comeback. New Orleans repeatedly relied on Shough’s arm to move the ball, and Olave’s ability to gain yards after catches helped the Saints turn a huge deficit into a tie game.
Olave’s production was particularly impressive because Detroit had controlled the game early. Once New Orleans began throwing more aggressively, Olave became a central part of the offensive attack. His performance could have been enough for a Saints victory on another day, but the Lions ultimately made the critical plays in overtime.
Full Game Scoring Highlights
| Quarter | Team | Scoring Play | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Lions | Jahmyr Gibbs 1-yard rush TD | DET 7-0 |
| Q3 | Lions | Jahmyr Gibbs 1-yard rush TD | DET 14-0 |
| Q3 | Lions | Amon-Ra St. Brown 19-yard TD reception | DET 21-0 |
| Q3 | Saints | Kendre Miller 8-yard rush TD | DET 21-7 |
| Q3 | Saints | Devaughn Vele TD reception | DET 21-14 |
| Q4 | Lions | Field goal | DET 24-14 |
| Q4 | Saints | Juwan Johnson TD reception | DET 24-21 |
| Q4 | Saints | Late scoring drive | 24-24 |
| OT | Lions | Amon-Ra St. Brown 4-yard TD reception | DET 31-24 |
| OT | Saints | Noah Fant 8-yard TD reception | DET 31-30 |
| OT | Saints | Two-point conversion failed | DET 31-30 |
The scoring pattern demonstrates how dramatically the game changed. Detroit dominated the opening stages and held a 21-0 advantage in the third quarter. New Orleans then scored repeatedly, turning what appeared to be a comfortable Lions victory into a tense fourth-quarter contest. The Saints’ offense eventually forced overtime after Detroit struggled to protect its advantage.
Overtime produced an equally dramatic finish. Detroit received the first major opportunity and converted it when Goff found St. Brown for a four-yard touchdown. New Orleans answered with Fant’s eight-yard touchdown reception, but the Saints chose to go for two. When the attempt failed, Detroit escaped with the 31-30 victory.
Team Stats Comparison
| Statistic | New Orleans Saints | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 378 | 204 |
| Rushing Yards | 91 | 165 |
| Total Yards | 469 | 369 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Passing Attempts | 56 | 39 |
| Rushing Attempts | 22 | 33 |
| Final Score | 30 | 31 |
New Orleans finished with more total yardage, producing 469 yards compared with Detroit’s 369. The Saints were particularly effective through the air, generating 378 passing yards behind Shough’s 410-yard passing effort. Detroit, meanwhile, had the stronger rushing performance, led by Gibbs’ 156 yards.
The numbers show why the game was so competitive despite Detroit’s early dominance. The Saints’ passing offense eventually overwhelmed the Lions’ defense, while Detroit relied on Gibbs and timely throws from Goff. Both teams committed two turnovers, but Detroit’s ability to score first and make the decisive overtime play ultimately proved more important than the overall yardage advantage.
Final Takeaway
The New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats reveal a game defined by two very different halves. Detroit controlled the opening stages and built a 21-point lead, with Gibbs dominating on the ground and St. Brown making key touchdown catches. New Orleans refused to quit, however, and Shough’s 410 passing yards helped the Saints produce one of the most impressive comebacks of the opening NFL weekend.
In the end, the Lions survived rather than dominated. Goff and St. Brown connected for the winning overtime touchdown, while the Saints’ decision to attempt a two-point conversion after Fant’s touchdown left them one play short of victory. Detroit opened the 2026 season 1-0 with a 31-30 overtime win, while New Orleans fell to 0-1 despite outstanding performances from Shough and Olave.
More Update SCORES 365
