Detroit Lions/New Orleans Saints NFL recap on ESPN

Howard's 95-yard punt return Sunday gave the Detroit Lions the lead for good in a 14-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints in their season opener. It was reminiscent of Howard's 99-yard kickoff return on the same field in the 1997 Super Bowl that clinched the Green Bay Packers' 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots.

"The one in the Super Bowl was a little longer," Howard said. "But six points is six points, especially when you're down and you can help your team out."

Detroit needed the help as it managed only a pair of field goals before Howard grabbed a punt with 2:06 left in the third quarter and rambled downfield, giving the Lions a 12-7 lead.

On the Lions' two-point conversion, a pass to Johnnie Morton sailed over his head in the end zone, but the Saints were flagged for interference, giving Detroit another shot from the 1. On the second chance, James Stewart ran it in for a 14-7 margin.

"I just think about D&D," Morton said. "Desmond and defense. Without them, we might be going home with a bitter feeling."

TOM DONAHOE'S BREAKDOWN

You have to give the Lions a lot of credit for the way they won this football game. Detroit knew opening on the road without Charlie Batch was going to be tough.

Stoney Case didn't have a great game, but the Lions found a way to win, and that shows the mettle this team has. Desmond Howard's punt return turned the game around for Detroit.

The Saints just couldn't make plays when the game still hung in the balance. It was a good start for New Orleans, and the Saints are probably going to play a lot of close games this year. They've got a good defense and a good kicking game, but offensively, they need to develop a bit.

Saints kicker Doug Brien closed the Saints to 14-10 with a 48-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, but New Orleans could get no closer.

"We've got a long way to go," Saints coach Jim Haslett said of his regular-season debut as an NFL coach.

If offense really does sell tickets, the Lions and the Saints might be playing in empty stadiums before midseason.

Detroit, with Stoney Case filling in at quarterback for injured Charlie Batch, had only 187 yards in total offense, 10 first downs and converted four of 16 third downs. Case finished 13-for-25 for 100 yards, with one interception and two sacks.

New Orleans' newly installed West Coast offense went south. The Saints had only 252 yards in total offense, 13 first downs and converted six of 17 third downs.

Jeff Blake, brought in this year to give the Saints a passing threat and prevent defenses from stacking up on Ricky Williams, completed 18 of 34 passes for 169 yards. He threw one interception and was sacked five times.

"I just want to apologize to the defense," Blake said. "They did a great job of keeping us in the game, and we didn't take advantage of it. I'll do whatever I have to do to prevent this from happening again."

Williams gained 84 yards on 20 carries and fumbled twice. He had two long runs nullified by penalties.

New Orleans' only touchdown came from safety Sammy Knight, who zipped in front of Lions tight end David Sloan to latch onto Case's first-quarter pass. Knight took it 37 yards to put the Saints ahead 7-0.

The Saints almost added a safety in the second quarter when La'Roi Glover sacked Case at the edge of the end zone. The officials placed the ball on the 1, however.

Shortly after that, Saints receiver Willie Jackson fumbled, setting up Detroit's first score, Jason Hanson's 24-yard field goal. Hanson added a 30-yarder with 1:53 left in the second quarter to cut New Orleans' lead to 7-6 at the half.

A bad snap prevented Hanson from kicking a 27-yarder with less than three minutes remaining in the game.

Game notes
Sunday's game was the Saints' first sellout since Dec. 6, 1998. ... Robert Porcher's 39 sacks over the past three years leads the NFL. But on Sunday, going against Saints lineman Kyle Turley, who was second in the league last year with just two sacks allowed, Porcher couldn't get to the quarterback. ... Johnnie Morton's brother Chad is a rookie RB for the Saints. ... Case made his sixth NFL start, but his first on opening day. ... Including the playoffs, the Lions have been limited to 17 or fewer points in six straight games. ... New Orleans' record on opening day is now 9-25. ... Injuries: Lions linebacker Barrett Green, right ankle sprain; Lions linebacker Clint Kriewalt, left ankle sprain; Saints offensive lineman Wally Williams, neck stinger.

ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard

Detroit Clubhouse

New Orleans Clubhouse

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Week 1 infirmary report

TJ's Take on Week 1

Week 1 stats leaders

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