Lions vs. Saints: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

Sunday Night Football is giving us a game between two playoff contenders this week when the Detroit Lions travel south to take on the New Orleans Saints.

The Lions are 7-4 and tied for second place in the NFC North with the Chicago Bears. The Saints are 8-3, and lead the NFC North by one game over the Atlanta Falcons, who they have already beaten in Atlanta.

Additionally, the Saints have not lost a game at home all season. 

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome. New Orleans, Louisiana.

When: Sunday, Dec. 4 at 8:20 p.m. EST

Watch: NBC

Listen: 97.1 FM WXYT, Sirius 92 in Detroit. WWL 870AM, 105.3FM, Sirius 93 in New Orleans. Streamed at WWL.com and NFL.com.

Betting Line

Saints (-9), according to Bodog.

The Lions are a strong team, but I am going with the Saints for the win and cover.

These two teams are headed in opposite directions and the Saints are nearly unbeatable at home.

What's at Stake

The Lions need to start winning. They're on a slide now and fighting for their playoff lives.

The Saints are in excellent shape to win the NFC South. If they lose this game, it would all but end their chances at getting a first round bye. They would at least stay a game behind the 49ers, would lose another conference game. Also, as the 49ers beat the Lions, it would hurt the Saints in the common opponent tiebreaker.

Lions Injury Report

S Louis Delmas, LB Doug Houge, CB Chris Houston, DE Lawrence Jackson, and RB Kevin Smith did not practice on Wednesday.

CB Brandon McDonald and DE Willie Young were limited in Wednesday's practice.

Saints Injury Report

No injuries to report.

Fantasy Start 'Em, Sit 'Em and Sleeper

Start 'Em: There are plenty of stars in this game to start. Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles and Marques Colston. Anyone having these players needs to play them.

Sit 'Em: Lance Moore had a huge game against the Giants, but I still fear him getting lost in the shuffle.

Sleeper: The New Orleans defense. On the surface, the defense opposing the Lions is a bad play. But if you watched their game on Monday, you saw an aggressive, ball hawking defense. That leads to sacks and turnovers. 

What They're Saying

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press quoted Drew Brees talking about the suspension of Ndamukong Suh and the Detroit front line.

"

Obviously, he’s a great player.He’s one of the best defensive tackles in this league. He, obviously, brings a pretty physical presence. I still think, as you look across the board there, that they have a lot of talent, they have the ability to really get after the passer. They’re a great group altogether...I’m not sure how the whole appeal thing will work out, but if Suh does not play, they’re still a very formidable front.

"

Lions Player to Watch

If he plays, keep an eye on Kevin Smith. We know what Calvin Johnson can do, but the Lions' offense needs balance if they're going to have any luck against the Saints in New Orleans.

Saints Player to Watch

Where do you start here? Drew Brees is the focal point of the team, but I am looking at Mark Ingram. If the Saints' offense has balance, they're going to be tough to beat.

Key Matchup

Brees vs. the Detroit front. If they don't put pressure on him, this will be an abysmal day for Detroit.

On the Hotseat

Given how much he's turned the team around, Jim Schwartz's job is not in danger. But if they miss the playoffs after a 5-0 start, Schwartz will enter 2012 on a short leash.

Prediction: Saints 38, Lions 24

Look for some points in this one, but the Saints have the clear edge. It won't be quite as exaggerated as Monday night's game vs. the Giants was, but there will be similarities. We'll see a lot of points, and one team clearly better than the other.