Saints-Lions: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Destined for Failure at First Snap

I hate to pick on the kid like this. I'm sure the New Orleans Saints humbled him enough.

On a day when the Lions would unveil their brand spanking new QB to the world, it wasn't about him at all.

It was about Drew Brees approaching the NFL record for touchdowns in a game. It was about Jeremy Shockey catching his first touchdown passes in over a year. It was also about a Lions defense that still can't grasp the foreign concept of covering opposing receivers.

It was doomed from the start.

Taking your first snaps in an NFL game is hard enough without spotting the opposing team a 7-0 lead before you even take the field. Stafford and the Lions offense promptly went three and out. I hate to say this, but that's fitting. Par for the course.

You knew what was coming next before it happened. Over the past decade I have been conditioned to see the future. All Lions fans have this ability, some can just tap into it better than others.

The Saints returned the punt to midfield and two plays later, yes two plays later, New Orleans went up 14-0.

I was getting visions of last season's opener. Would Detroit spot the opposition another 21-0 lead before the second quarter started?

Mercifully, they weren't that bad.

The Lions played more or less the same Saints team in Week 16 last year. They lost that game 42-7. So if you're looking at that game as the measuring stick for improvement, you'll see that the Lions offense was able to score more points.

However, truthfully only about 13 of the 20 points scored by Detroit's offense can be attributed to actual scoring drives.

Aaron Brown returned one kick all the way to the Saints' 11-yard line. The short field resulted in a Kevin Smith touchdown run on fourth down.

That may have been the best play of the game for the Lions offense because it showed heart. We aren't accustomed to seeing gutsy plays like that from this woeful team.

Sure, at one point Stafford hit Calvin Johnson and he promptly ripped off a 64-yard gain as he danced around defenders to the New Orleans three-yard line. Stafford topped that drive off with a touchdown run of his own.

It wasn't enough though. The only receivers to catch a ball was Calvin Johnson and Bryant Johnson. The catches were sparse.

He looked every bit a rookie out there for the rest of the game. I advise against looking at the box score for any longer than necessary. Glancing back and forth between Stafford and Brees's stat line really hurts.

One QB had no touchdowns and three interceptions for 205 yards. The other threw for six touchdowns, one interception and 358 yards.

After the game Brees remarked how he and the Saints left some points on the field. Imagine that.

I can't argue with him though. Brees could have tied the NFL record for touchdowns in a game in the final minutes, but New Orleans coach Sean Payton showed mercy. I don't think he'll be getting any thank you cards though.

Saying the defense is stuck at square one would almost be a compliment. They're back to Triangle one.

Granted Drew Brees is a stiff test for any NFL defense, but they also let the Saints' third string running back, Mike Bell, rush for 143 yards. Ridiculous.

There was one single bright spot. It came when rookie safety, Louis Delmas recovered a Bell fumble and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown. Is that cause for hope? Ask me again when a play like that contributes to a win.

A win? Man could this team use one. One-24 in their last 25 games. It's not even fair. There as over 40 percent turnover on this Lions team. The defense was nearly completely wiped out and replaced with new starters, the coaching staff is brand new, the new general manager got high marks for his overhaul, and yet the result is the same.

What more can be done?

A couple months ago they must have had next week against Minnesota circled on the calender, but now they get to face their longtime nemesis, Brett Favre.

Brace yourselves.