New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions Prediction 9/13/2026 Today’s NFL Picks

The New Orleans Saints and the Detroit Lions meet Sunday in NFL action from Ford Field in Detroit. Here’s a Saints vs Lions prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Saints vs Lions pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

New Orleans Saints Betting Preview

This year the Saints opened up their preseason schedule with a close 24-20 loss versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. New Orleans fared even worse in game two versus the Los Angeles Rams. The Saints gave up points in every quarter (including 17 in the second) during a 34-0 blowout loss. The New Orleans defense allowed 405 yards (254 passing) and 28 first downs along the way.

In their August 28 preseason finale versus the Dallas Cowboys, the Saints played a very competitive game. New Orleans was up 17-9 by the end of the first half and eventually powered out the win 27-24. QB Spencer Rattler was 8-of-10 for 79 yards and Audric Estime led the rush on 46 yards from four carries. Ronnie Bell caught six balls for 65 yards.

Detroit Lions Betting Preview

Over on the Lions’ side, they also took a loss in their preseason opener this year. Detroit fell in a close one 16-14 versus the Cincinnati Bengals. In game two things got better but it was another close game. Detroit eked out a 17-13 win over the Washington Commanders thanks in part to 169 rushing yards. The Lions were 2-for-2 on fourth-down conversion attempts but did cough up a couple of turnovers.

On August 29 in preseason game three versus the Indianapolis Colts, the Lions were up by a tight 19-16 score heading into the final quarter. Detroit added six more points during a 25-16 win. QB Joshua Dobbs was 15-of-19 for 128 yards and two scores while Jacob Saylors had a nice game with 100 yards on 17 carries. Trayveon Williams had two rush scores and 57 yards on nine totes himself.

New Orleans Saints @ Detroit Lions Betting Trends: Week 1

Why the Detroit Lions will win

• The Saints have lost eight of their last nine games without Juwan Johnson.
• The Lions have won each of their last five games without Jameson Williams.
• The Lions have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games as favorites without Alim McNeill.
• The Saints have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five road games against NFC North opponents.
• The Saints have lost the first half in 12 of their last 13 Sunday games as underdogs.
• The Lions have won the first quarter in three of their last four Sunday games against the Saints.

Why the New Orleans Saints will win

• The Lions have lost three of their last four games as favorites without Kerby Joseph.
• The Saints have won three of their last four games as underdogs against NFC opponents.
• The Saints have covered the spread in each of their last six games without Julian Blackmon.
• The Lions have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five home games without Kerby Joseph.
• The Lions have lost the first half in four of their last five Week 1 games.
• The underdogs have won the first quarter in three of the Lions’ last four Week 1 games.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of the Saints’ last nine games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of the Lions’ last five home games without Sam LaPorta have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of the last three Sunday games at Ford Field have gone OVER the total points line.

Detroit Lions Player Prop Facts

• Amon-Ra St. Brown has scored the last touchdown in each of the Lions’ last three September games at Ford Field.
• Jahmyr Gibbs has scored two or more touchdowns in three of the Lions’ last four games at Ford Field as moderate favorites (-3.5 to -7.0 points).
• Jahmyr Gibbs has recorded 84+ rushing yards in three of the Lions’ last four September home games.
• Jared Goff has recorded 279+ passing yards in each of the Lions’ last four Sunday games as favorites.
• Jared Goff has recorded 25+ completions in each of the Lions’ last four Sunday games as favorites.
• Jahmyr Gibbs has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Lions’ last nine games at Ford Field as moderate favorites (-3.5 to -7.0 points).
• Jameson Williams has recorded 80+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Lions’ last four September home games against NFC opponents.
• Brock Wright has recorded 11+ receiving yards in each of his last four home appearances against NFC opponents.
• Amon-Ra St. Brown recorded the equal-most receiving touchdowns in a single game last season (3 vs Bears, Week 2).

New Orleans Saints Player Prop Facts

• Travis Etienne has scored a touchdown in each of his last four appearances with his team as a road underdog.
• Tyler Shough has recorded 22+ rushing yards in each of the Saints’ last four games against NFC opponents.
• Chris Olave has recorded 94+ receiving yards in four of his last five appearances against NFC North opponents.
• Tyler Shough has recorded 259+ passing yards in each of the Saints’ last four Sunday games.
• Tyler Shough has recorded 22+ completions in each of the Saints’ last four Sunday games.
• Audric Estime has recorded 36+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Saints’ last four Sunday games.
• Kool-Aid McKinstry recorded the equal-most interceptions in a single game last season (2 vs Giants, Week 5).

Matchup/League Facts

• Lions – two different players recorded 100+ rushing yards in a game last season – equal-most in the NFL.
• The Lions recorded the highest score in a single game last season (52-points vs Chicago).
• Saints – two different players recorded 90+ rushing yards in a game last season – equal-most in the NFL.
• The Saints ranked 32nd in the NFL in red zone percentage (44.4%) last season.

Saints vs Lions Prediction

I’ll take a stab on the Saints. New Orleans was able to stave off Dallas in their final preseason game thanks to 326 total yards (169 rushing), 5.8 yards per play and 23 first downs. The Saints didn’t commit a turnover but didn’t perform well on third downs (3-of-9). New Orleans has some fairly modest expectations this year so anything above six wins would be considered a step forward. The good news is that the schedule isn’t super tough on paper.

As for Detroit, they finished off the exhibition schedule with a nice win over the Colts, posting 186 yards rushing, 25 first downs and a cool 13-of-19 on third-down conversion attempts. That said, the Lions also had a whopping four turnovers (three fumbles) along the way. Ball control needs to be at a premium during this opener so that the Lions can get those memories put away.

Andrew Jett's Pick: New Orleans Saints +7