Week 1: Detroit @ New Orleans

[Warner2BruceTD]

Saints are a last place team from last season, who have a losing record over the last to years. Perspective.

Week 1 is a very tough week to pick. We've seen many examples of opening week "laughers" that end up being won by the other team.

I think the Saints will win, but would it shock me if Detroit ended up winning? No. The Saints are not an elite team, despite the curious hype.

[Buzzman]

I didn't even know they scored 21 somehow when we played them last year..lol. Lions played horrible that game.

Detroit almost came back and won that game. They fell down 21-0 fast then scored right before halftime to make it 21-17 then in the 2nd half Kitna threw 2 picks and we lost.

But if the Lions offense can run the ball I can see them winning because they can control the clock and keep it away from Brees. Even though it was pre-season they really did a good job of TOP but it doesnt mean much until you do it in the regular season. Saints defense is pretty bad though so I cant it wont happen cause it def can.

[Hasselbeck]

Call it wishful thinking or whatever you want, but I could see this game being closer than most people think. Maybe, just maybe the Lions will squeek out with a win.

Barring Julian Peterson throwing Brees into the turf a la Sam Bradford v BYU.. not happening.

[DSpydr84]

Should be a good game.. I expect us to play pretty well against New Orleans. We'll probably control the ball with the run and work in some big plays with Calvin Johnson, and I know Schwartz and Cunningham have been putting in extra hours this off-season looking at the Saints passing attack. Hopefully whatever crazy schemes they came up with are enough to slow these guys down and cause some turnovers.

[chazmaniandevil]

brees throws for 5000 yards this game

[GoChargers]

Saints SHOULD get them, but they lose a lot of games they should win.

[Newkie]

Saints win convincingly, whether they play well on defense or not. Stafford, a rookie QB, won't take well to opening his career on the road, in a place as loud as the Superdome.

Of course, the Saints defense should be improved from last year, with the personnel changes and a new identity based on Gregg Williams' defensive philosophies. And, well, last year's defense held the Lions to seven points. This year's should keep the Lions at or below 14 points. If that happens, the Saints offense should be able to do the rest.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Gregg Williams hasnt run a big time defense in years. Jax was a disaster on D last year. He's all reputation.

[Newkie]

Well, since 1999, Gregg Williams had five top 10 defenses, including the eighth-ranked defense in the 2007, ninth in 2005 and third in 2004.

So, sure he's not a surefire bet to turn the Saints defense into a top 10 defense, but I like the odds of him doing it instead of the guy that was here last season (Gary Gibbs).

And opening against a rookie quarterback, he should at least be able to call a pretty decent game.

[DomePatrol]

1-0 here we come. WHO DAT

[Buzzman]

2 MORE HOURS!!!1

[ChemTheThriller]

Rookie QB in his first start...

Stafford 1 TD 2 INTs 240 Yards
Brees 3 TDs 1 INT 310 Yards

New orleans: 31
Detroit: 17

Count on it.

[Bigpapa42]

Brees has 4 TDs in the first half. I really hope he doesn't stop winging it in the 2nd half, just to see if he can start the season with somewhere between 7-9 TDs in one game...

[JeremyHight]

I am rooting for the Lions, but having Brees on my fantasy team is nice.

[Ralnakor]

I stick by what I've said all along, Stafford has a lot of potential, but I still don't like him as the starter this early. At least wait until after the bye week and give Daunte the start. Of course it's not gunna happen now, but this game has done nothing to persuade me otherwise.

Big fumble on the kick by Reggie.

EDIT Followed by a stupid INT by Stafford.....