5 Takeaways from Detroit Lions' 24-23 Win over New Orleans

The Detroit Lions somehow managed to eke out a breathtaking 24-23 comeback victory over the visiting New Orleans Saints despite not leading until the final minute. 

Despite the euphoric finish, this was not a game full of positives from a Detroit standpoint. New Orleans was the better team on both sides of the ball—and the coaching box—for the vast majority of the contest. 

With the improbable win, the Lions improve to 5-2, matching the Green Bay Packers atop the NFC North. The Lions hold the head-to-head advantage by virtue of beating the Packers earlier this year.

Next up for Detroit is a trip to London to face the Atlanta Falcons, who fell to 2-5 in a lifeless 29-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. If the Lions are to advance to 6-2, they will need to shore up several issues that have sprouted in recent weeks. 

Remember, the Lions won the game. Some of these five takeaways from the win over New Orleans might leave you believing otherwise. 

The Offensive Line Continues to Struggle

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

The offensive line has been an ongoing source of frustration in Detroit. What was such a strong unit a year ago continues to struggle despite returning the same five starters. 

What's most puzzling is that the source of the problem changes from week to week. One game it's left guard Rob Sims imitating an upscale hotel with his "revolving door" pass protection. Another it's right guard Larry Warford missing targets. Others still it's been left tackle Riley Reiff getting beaten inside.

One of the common threads is a problem with communication up front. Several times the linemen have ended a play pointing at one another, trying to ascertain whose man it was that just planted Matthew Stafford into the turf. 

It was Warford's turn today:

"

Larry Warford just blocked air. And Matthew Stafford ate dirt.

— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) October 19, 2014"

Even so, the pass protection was generally better in this game. The run blocking, on the other hand...

Detroit managed just 59 yards on 24 carries. Many of those yards came after first contact, which was often at or behind the line of scrimmage. 

There was definite progress in this game up front, but not enough to mitigate the ongoing worries about what should be a much better offensive line. 

Golden Tate Is Worth Every Penny

USA TODAY Sports

Lest anyone still doubt the wisdom of shelling out $31 million over five years, per Spotrac, this game should settle that argument. Tate was phenomenal when his new team needed him most. 

Playing without Calvin Johnson, Eric Ebron, Joseph Fauria and, at intermittent times throughout the game, Reggie Bush and Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit's receiving corps was painfully thin. They needed Tate to play like a No. 1 receiver. 

He responded with a vengeance:

"

.@ShowtimeTate had himself a day. 10 rec & 154 yds are both career highs. All his highlights: http://t.co/P8wRWqpSOK pic.twitter.com/J8sMaiUSSf

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 19, 2014"

The most important catch was his 73-yard touchdown, a play that breathed life back into Detroit's moribund offense in the fourth quarter. 

"

Golden Tate with a great catch and run after for a 73-yard TD and the #Lions are back in it 23-17. #NOvs.DET

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) October 19, 2014"

The former Seahawk currently ranks fourth in the NFL in receptions and yards, with 48 and 649, respectively. He has been vital in carrying Detroit to two consecutive wins without Johnson in the lineup. 

A Down Day for the Defense

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

The picture above is something Lions fans have not seen much in 2014. In the first six weeks, the defense did a fantastic job of keeping plays in front of them and not getting beaten over the top. 

"

Clearly Detroit's defense stepped up in home stretch, but unit gave up 10 plays of 17 or more yards. Makes 4th quarter more impressive.

— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) October 19, 2014"

The pass rush wasn't its typical dominant self, registering just one sack and six hits on Drew Brees. Yet the bigger issue was the coverage lapses, notably over the middle of the field. 

Whenever Brees needed a big completion, he found a variety of different receivers trolling the soft coverage between the hashes and down the field.

"

That's three clutch throws down the field for the #Saints on this drive to get out of trouble. First-and-10 from #Lions 25 to start 4th Q

— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) October 19, 2014"

Detroit surrendered season highs in several categories:

	Prior High	vs. New Orleans
Total Yards	336	408
First Downs	20	25
Passing Yards	294	335
1st Downs via Penalty	3	5

To be fair to the defense, New Orleans had an extra week to prepare and features a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Brees. And the D did come through when the team needed it the most. 

Unsung Hero: Sam Martin

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

On a day where the Lions' normally staunch defense wasn't at its best, Detroit got a big lift from punter Sam Martin. 

The second-year man from Appalachian State put on quite a show, helping Detroit control field position and giving the defense a little buffer when it broke down. 

Martin punted five times. Four of those punts ended inside the Saints' 20-yard line, including an absolute beauty of a coffin-corner kick:

"

Sam Martin with a perfect punt, a 55-yarder that bounces out of bounds at the 1. #Lions

— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) October 19, 2014"

In addition, all five of Martin's kickoffs went for touchbacks. 

Martin entered the game ranked second in the league in net punting. His strong performance will continue to bolster his Pro Bowl candidacy. 

It's Time to Openly Question the Play Calling of Joe Lombardi

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

It was interesting to see the Saints offense break out against a heretofore stout Lions defense, while at the same time, the Lions' own offense sputtered for most of the game against what had been a lousy New Orleans defense.

Making it even more puzzling is that offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi came to the Lions from New Orleans, where he served as Brees' quarterback coach and mentor for several years. 

While the Saints were creatively carving out chunks of yardage, Detroit had to claw for every inch. While Brees attacked down the field, Stafford was quickly checking to short routes.

"

Don't put all the blame on Stafford for the inability to move the ball, also have to blame our Offensive Coordinator, Joe Lombardi

— Tanner Pontini (@TannerPontini) October 19, 2014"

It's hard to ascertain what the downfield coverage looked like without benefit of NFL Game Rewind, which isn't available yet as of press time. But it sure seemed like Stafford wasn't being asked to attack it often enough. 

I noted my surprise during the game when Stafford did look down the field:

"

Stafford finally chooses the deeper option on the dual crosses. He has not been going for those. Need more of it, great catch by Pettigrew

— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) October 19, 2014"

Even on the game-winning drive, Lombardi made some strange, conservative play calls. Running up the middle on both 1st- and 2nd-and-goal certainly raised the blood pressure and anxiety levels of many Lions fans. 

Had Corey Fuller not pulled down that touchdown or the official thrown the flag on Rafael Bush for interfering with Reggie Bush on the fourth-down incompletion, Lombardi's poor game plan would be under much harsher scrutiny. 

All statistics are from ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.