New Orleans Saints Week 13 Report Card: Grading Each Unit vs. the Detroit Lions

Man, what a birthday weekend I had. The San Diego Aztecs beat their "rival" Fresno State in football in dramatic fashion, the Aztec basketball team had a hard-fought home victory over the California Golden Bears, and most importantly, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Detroit Lions. 

It was a game the Saints dominated in the beginning, lost control in the beginning of the third quarter and then recaptured momentum in the fourth quarter to essentially cruise to a 31-17 victory and a 9-3 record. 

It was a game where the offense was efficient if not other-worldly and the defense solid enough to get a crucial victory on the heels of Atlanta's loss to the Houston Texans. 

As always, I want to take a few moments to look back at the film and determine just who played well and perhaps not so well for the black and gold in this game. 

Quarterback Drew Brees: A-

Coming off an almost-perfect performance on Monday night against the Giants, it was unreasonable to think Brees would better his output just six nights later. In fact, it seems fair to say that Brees was nothing if not workmanlike against the Lions. 

The final numbers don't tell the whole story, but 26-36 for 342 yards and three touchdowns is nothing to sneeze at. Brees was sacked a couple times against a defensive line missing its best player. That isn't completely on him or the O-line but means neither played a perfect game. 

Brees also had one, maybe even two passes which should have been intercepted. Nonetheless, Brees did what needed to be done for a Saints victory, and that's all that mattered.

He made several key throws after keeping plays alive, and the offense got into a rhythm twice—once in the first half, then late in the second half. 

Running Backs: B

It's hard to be disappointed with 100 yards rushing, especially given the astronomical effectiveness of the passing offense for New Orleans. But aside from Mark Ingram's opening play 13-yard scamper, the Saints running attack was a little bit tamed by the Lions. 

Mark Ingram was by far the primary ball carrier with 16 carries, while Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas combined for just six attempts. From a yard-per-carry perspective, those two were much more effective, but it's obvious the Saints' game plan was meant to feature Mark Ingram early and often this week against the Lions. 

Sproles and Thomas contributed a bit more in the passing game, combining for seve catches and 57 yards, plus a Darren Sproles touchdown. 

This group continues to contribute even when the initial numbers may not look pretty. The unit has given a legitimate sense of balance to the offense while maintaining the ability to strike quickly at any time. 

Wide Receivers: B+

Isn't it amazing how one player can stand out for this group each time—and it's seemingly a different player each time. 

Sunday night, that guy was clearly Robert Meachem. With three catches, 119 yards and a 67-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter, Meachem provided a huge spark to the offense. He also ran one time for eight yards. 

Clearly, Sean Payton and Drew Brees liked the matchup to get Meachem involved significantly in the offense this week. 

That being said, Marques Colston and Lance Moore played key roles as possession receivers, and Lance Moore of course made a tremendous catch over the middle with time running out in the first half.

Cris Collinsworth analyzed the play ad nauseum for NBC, but I'll simply say it was a perfectly run route and great hands catch in traffic by the best hands guy the Saints have. 

The unit was its normal solid self. And Sunday night, that was just fine. 

Tight End Jimmy Graham: A-

There were two possible results Sunday night when the Saints were passing with Jimmy Graham on the field. Either a) Graham got double teamed, or b) Graham caught the ball and picked up a Saints' first down. 

Graham was a clutch receiver for Brees on third down and made several big catches for the Saints. He also did a wonderful job when asked to block—which I actually saw him doing on a pass play. 

Once I got over the shock, I was able to rightly evaluate Graham and realize he did a fantabulous job. 

Graham continues to put up gawdy numbers, and the Lions had no one Sunday night worthy of the challenge to slow him down. 

Offensive Line: B

The Saints offensive line gave Drew Brees enough time on most plays to step up and throw with a clean pocket, so he could find Lance Moore, Robert Meachem and Jimmy Graham open over the middle of the field. 

Brees did have to scramble a few times and got sacked, but in reality, those were more coverage sacks than due to poor pass protection. 

In the running game, some of the holes got plugged quicker than they have in recent weeks. As a result, the running backs weren't able to gain as much steam ahead to pick up large chunks. 

But again, the Saints' O-line got the job done. I'll say it again. That's all that matters!

Defensive Line: B

The Detroit Lions never really broke out for a long run. From that perspective, the Saints' defensive line did a wonderful job, albeit against a team who lacks commitment to the running game anyway. 

The unit struggled a bit more to create consistent pressure on Matthew Stafford—though clearly part of that can be contributed to the Lions running quick-hitting pass plays designed to get the ball out of the quarterback's hand quickly. 

They were effective when they needed to be and showed some signs of improvement. Anything lower than a B would be a harsh grade. 

Linebackers: A-

In a game where the Saints' defense gave up 408 yards of passing offense, it would be unfair to credit much of that to the linebackers unit. Scott Shanle recorded a sack, Jonathan Vilma was all over the football field, Ramon Humber continued his stretch of making at least one big play every game.

The Lions' tight ends combined for five catches and 64 yards. Yet, the running backs had over 100 yards in receiving. 

Nonetheless, the lack of a big-run play has to be credited all across the defense, and much props goes to the Saints' linebackers for their effort in that result. 

Overall, I thought this unit had its best game of 2011, following its best game the week before, and maybe its best game to date the week before that.

In other words, they are improving fast. 

Safeties: B+

Roman Harper was a beast along the line of scrimmage—again!

And Malcolm Jenkins made a few nice plays on the football to break up pass completions. He did however get beat late in the second quarter when he should have helped on a streak up the sideline when Titus Young got by Patrick Robinson. 

Even with that, this unit contributed to the solid defensive effort and team victory. 

Cornerbacks: B-

Tracy Porter ended the Lions' final realistic scoring chance late in the fourth quarter by intercepting a fourth-down pass. He also managed to hold his receivers most of the time they came calling his way. 

Opposite Porter, Jabari Greer performed admirably when lined up against Calvin Johnson or any of the other bigger receivers the Lions feature. And as he has all season, he was excellent in coming up to make plays on the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage. 

Patrick Robinson looked bad when he got beat on that aforementioned pass down the sideline late in the second quarter. But aside from that play, nothing negative stood out on film from the play of Robinson. 

It's hard to imagine a 408-yard passing day could earn a high score, but all in all, the Saints' defensive backs were solid. 

Special Teams: B

There really isn't anything significant here to observe or report. Kasay made every kick he attempted, though one snap was a little iffy. Thomas Morstead was solid as he always is.

Darren Spoles had a few nice returns, while Patrick Robinson managed to get around the right end and block Jason Hanson's 42-yard field goal attempt just as the halftime buzzer sounded. 

That play was all athleticism and effort from Robinson. That play makes me wonder why the guy can't make a better, more consistent showing on defense. 

Maybe that blocked kick will help lead to more consistency on defense.