NFL Playoff Schedule: Lions Will March out of New Orleans with a Primetime Win

Most fans and analysts seem to think that the New Orleans Saints are on a crash course to the NFC championship game to take on the Green Bay Packers.

While that would be a great game, don't underestimate the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Game on Saturday night. 

This game is going to be a shootout. When you have Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles, et al. on the same field, it is impossible envision the game being anything but an offensive explosion. 

As we know all too well, in a shootout, anyone can win. The Saints found that out the hard way in last year's playoffs against Seattle. 

As Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com wrote, there is reason to be optimistic about the Lions' chances in this game. They have a defensive line that is capable of creating pressure without sending extra pass rushers. 

"

If that's the case, the Lions' pressure could dovetail to our second point. Brees committed 15 turnovers this season, 14 via interception to go with one fumble. Five of those turnovers came in losses to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and St. Louis Rams. 

Despite their second-half defensive struggles, the Lions forced 34 turnovers this season—a figure higher than all but two NFL teams. In a back-and-forth shootout, even one takeaway could make a dramatic difference by stopping a Saints drive and giving the Lions' offense an extra possession. 

"

Brees has been great this season and should be the NFL MVP, but he is not infallible. He does turn the ball over a lot more than you would expect from one of the best quarterbacks in the league. 

The Lions have an offense that is strong enough to keep up with the Saints. We saw proof of that last week when they lost to Green Bay.

But where they separate themselves is with their talent on defense. That talent hasn't always shown up this season, but when the chips are down and everyone is doubting them, that is the time they will shine. 

There is going to be at least one upset this weekend. That's just how the NFL works. The Lions have all the ingredients to pull off a shocker, so don't be surprised when they go into New Orleans and walk away with a victory. 

AFC WILD CARD ROUND SCHEDULE

Jan. 7 at 4:30 p.m. EDT on NBC: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans

Jan. 8 at 4:30 p.m. EDT on CBS: Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

NFC WILD CARD ROUND SCHEDULE

Jan. 7 at 8:00 p.m. EDT on NBC: Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints

Jan. 8 at 1:00 p.m. EDT on FOX: Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants

Follow @adamwells1985