Final/OT2026 Week 1

Ford Field, Detroit, MI

Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints

Away

30

Detroit Lions

HomeWon

31

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4OTFinal
Saints001410630
Lions70143731

NO 30DET 31 Final/OT

  • Passing leader

    Tyler Shough

    NO · QB

    25.2PPR pts

    35/56, 410 YDS, 3 TD, 2 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Jahmyr Gibbs

    DET · RB

    33.6PPR pts

    29 ATT, 156 YDS, 2 TD, 5 REC, 30 REC YDS

  • Saints leader

    Chris Olave

    NO · WR

    28.2PPR pts

    10 REC, 182 YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Derrick Barnes

    DET

    1 INT, 1 SACK, 6 TKL

Lions 31, Saints 30: Detroit wins it in overtime

Detroit led 7–0 at halftime, regulation ended 24–24, and the Lions won it 31–30 in overtime. New Orleans outgained the Lions 469–369.

New Orleans didn't get on the board until the third quarter.

The Saints went 8-for-17 on third down and committed three turnovers, while the Lions kept the ball for 36:51.

Key advantages

  • +2 turnover margin DET 1 · NO 3 turnovers
  • +5:16 time of possession DET 36:51 · NO 31:35

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Lions Won

Detroit won the turnover and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Saints vs Lions
SaintsStatLions
3Turnovers1
31:35Time of possession36:51
Other team stats
469Total yards369
5.5Yards per play5.1
86Plays73
47%Third-down conversion38%

Scoring Summary

The Lions scored four touchdowns and one field goal; the Saints scored four touchdowns and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Saints vs Lions
TimeTeamPlayNODET
1st quarter
3:39DETJahmyr Gibbs 1-yard TD run Takes leadJake Bates XP07
2nd quarter
No scoring
3rd quarter
11:14DETJahmyr Gibbs 1-yard TD run Extends leadJake Bates XP014
8:54DETJared Goff → Amon-Ra St. Brown, 19-yard TD Extends leadJake Bates XP021
4:27NOKendre Miller 8-yard TD runDaniel Carlson XP721
0:28NOTyler Shough → Devaughn Vele, 1-yard TDDaniel Carlson XP1421
4th quarter
7:41NODaniel Carlson 28-yard FG1721
2:32DETJake Bates 23-yard FG Extends lead1724
1:07NOTyler Shough → Juwan Johnson, 9-yard TD Ties gameDaniel Carlson XP2424
Overtime
5:04DETJared Goff → Amon-Ra St. Brown, 4-yard TD Game winnerJake Bates XP2431
1:34NOTyler Shough → Noah Fant, 8-yard TD2-pt try failed3031

Fantasy Points: Saints vs Lions, Week 1 2026

Fantasy leaders

  1. Jahmyr GibbsDETRB33.6 PTSRB3
  2. Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR28.7 PTSWR4
  3. Chris OlaveNOWR28.2 PTSWR5
  4. Tyler ShoughNOQB25.2 PTSQB6

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Tyler ShoughNOQB25.2QB635/564103248087.6Start/Sit →
Jared GoffDETQB16.4QB1726/392062022096.7Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Jahmyr GibbsDETRB33.6RB3RB29156255300Start/Sit →
Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR28.7WR4WR———1410672Start/Sit →
Chris OlaveNOWR28.2WR5WR———13101820Start/Sit →
Devaughn VeleNOWR19.9WR10WR———97691Start/Sit →
Travis EtienneNORB14.8RB16RB946097320
Juwan JohnsonNOTE14.4TE7TE———73541Start/Sit →
Noah FantNOTE13.3TE10TE———84331Start/Sit →
Sam LaPortaDETTE9.8TE17TE———85480Start/Sit →
Kendre MillerNORB9.0RB31RB9301————Start/Sit →
Jameson WilliamsDETWR8.5WR45WR———94450Start/Sit →
Bryce LanceNOWR7.2WR55WR———43420Start/Sit →
Sione VakiDETRB2.8RB61RB27011110Start/Sit →
Brock WrightDETTE1.5TE58TE———1150Start/Sit →
CJ DonaldsonNORB1.2RB65RB24021-20Start/Sit →
Barion BrownNOWR0.3WR108WR130————Start/Sit →
Isaac TeSlaaDETWR0.0—WR———1000Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

New Orleans Saints

Snap Share

  1. Devaughn VeleWR82 snaps91%
  2. Chris OlaveWR77 snaps86%
  3. Juwan JohnsonTE76 snaps84%
  4. Bryce LanceWR62 snaps69%
  5. Travis EtienneRB53 snaps59%

Target Share52 targets

  1. Chris Olave25%, 13 targets
  2. Travis Etienne17%, 9 targets
  3. Devaughn Vele17%, 9 targets
  4. Noah Fant15%, 8 targets
  5. Juwan Johnson13%, 7 targets
  6. Other12%, 6 targets

Carry Share25 carries

  1. Travis Etienne36%, 9 carries
  2. Kendre Miller36%, 9 carries
  3. Tyler Shough16%, 4 carries
  4. CJ Donaldson8%, 2 carries
  5. Barion Brown4%, 1 carries

Detroit Lions

Snap Share

  1. Amon-Ra St. BrownWR69 snaps90%
  2. Jameson WilliamsWR65 snaps84%
  3. Sam LaPortaTE62 snaps81%
  4. Jahmyr GibbsRB57 snaps74%
  5. Isaac TeSlaaWR52 snaps68%

Target Share39 targets

  1. Amon-Ra St. Brown36%, 14 targets
  2. Jameson Williams23%, 9 targets
  3. Sam LaPorta21%, 8 targets
  4. Jahmyr Gibbs13%, 5 targets
  5. Brock Wright3%, 1 targets
  6. Other5%, 2 targets

Carry Share33 carries

  1. Jahmyr Gibbs88%, 29 carries
  2. Jared Goff6%, 2 carries
  3. Sione Vaki6%, 2 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Devaughn VeleNOWR8291%917%0
Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR6990%1436%0
Chris OlaveNOWR7786%1325%0
Juwan JohnsonNOTE7684%713%0
Jameson WilliamsDETWR6584%923%0
Sam LaPortaDETTE6281%821%0
Jahmyr GibbsDETRB5774%513%29
Bryce LanceNOWR6269%48%0
Isaac TeSlaaDETWR5268%13%0
Travis EtienneNORB5359%917%9
Brock WrightDETTE3951%13%0
Noah FantNOTE3741%815%0
Kendre MillerNORB2629%00%9
Sione VakiDETRB2229%13%2
CJ DonaldsonNORB1517%24%2
Tyler ConklinDETTE1013%00%0
Treyton WelchNOTE1011%00%0
Barion BrownNOWR78%00%1
Kevin AustinNOWR56%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Tyler ShoughNO · QB25.228.6−3.4100%56 att—56416%00%
Jahmyr GibbsDET · RB33.626.2+7.474%88% car—02988%513%
Amon-Ra St. BrownDET · WR28.724.5+4.290%36% tgt—000%1436%
Chris OlaveNO · WR28.222.7+5.586%25% tgt—000%1325%
Travis Etienne Jr.NO · RB14.821.2−6.459%36% car—0936%917%
Jared GoffDET · QB16.419.4−3.0100%39 att—3926%00%
Devaughn VeleNO · WR19.915.7+4.291%17% tgt—000%917%
Jameson WilliamsDET · WR8.515.7−7.284%23% tgt—000%923%
Noah FantNO · TE13.314.0−0.741%15% tgt—000%815%
Sam LaPortaDET · TE9.814.0−4.281%21% tgt—000%821%
Juwan JohnsonNO · TE14.412.2+2.284%13% tgt—000%713%
Bryce LanceNO · WR7.27.0+0.269%8% tgt—000%48%
Kendre MillerNO · RB9.05.4+3.629%36% car—0936%00%
CJ DonaldsonNO · RB1.24.7−3.517%8% car—028%24%
Sione VakiDET · RB2.83.0−0.229%6% car—026%13%
Brock WrightDET · TE1.51.7−0.251%3% tgt—000%13%
Isaac TeSlaaDET · WR0.01.7−1.768%3% tgt—000%13%
Barion BrownNO · WR0.30.6−0.38%4% car—014%00%

Team totals: Saints 52 targets and 25 carries; Lions 39 targets and 33 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2026 season: 1.75 PPR points per target (68% catch rate), 0.60 per carry and 0.47 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Tyler Shough

NO · QB · 25.2 pts on 28.6 expected

35 of 56 passing for 410 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions; 4 carries for 8 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 28.6 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Falcons. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Tyler Shough →

Jared Goff

DET · QB · 16.4 pts on 19.4 expected

26 of 39 passing for 206 yards, 2 touchdowns; 2 carries for 2 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 19.4 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Panthers. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Jared Goff →

Chris Olave Ran hot

NO · WR · 28.2 pts on 22.7 expected

13 targets (25% of the team's), 10 catches for 182 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 22.7 points; efficiency supplied the rest. Next up: Week 4 against the Falcons. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Chris Olave →

Travis Etienne Jr. Unlucky

NO · RB · 14.8 pts on 21.2 expected

9 targets (17% of the team's), 7 catches for 32 yards; 9 carries (36% of the team's) for 46 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 21.2 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't. Next up: Week 4 against the Falcons. Bet on the role more than the result.

Jahmyr Gibbs Ran hot

DET · RB · 33.6 pts on 26.2 expected

5 targets (13% of the team's), 5 catches for 30 yards; 29 carries (88% of the team's) for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 26.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat. Next up: Week 4 against the Panthers. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Jahmyr Gibbs →

Amon-Ra St. Brown Strong role

DET · WR · 28.7 pts on 24.5 expected

14 targets (36% of the team's), 10 catches for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 24.5 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Panthers. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Amon-Ra St. Brown →

Jameson Williams Unlucky

DET · WR · 8.5 pts on 15.7 expected

9 targets (23% of the team's), 4 catches for 45 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 15.7 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't. Next up: Week 4 against the Panthers. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Jameson Williams →

Start/Sit Decisions

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2026 through Week 3.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Saints defense and Lions defense
Points allowed toSaints DLions D
QBs18.130.0
RBs26.519.7
WRs29.039.0
TEs20.733.4

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Detroit opened at 70% win probability and passed 98% in the third quarter on the way to the win.

Lions win probability

Lions win probability by game minuteLions started at 70%, stood at 86% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 10 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4OT100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +17Gibbs 1-yd TD run68% → 85%Q1 3:39
  2. +10Gibbs 1-yd TD run87% → 97%Q3 11:14
  3. −10Carlson 28-yd FG95% → 84%Q4 7:41
  4. −47Shough → Johnson, 9-yd TD>99% → 53%Q4 1:07
  5. +44Goff → Brown, 4-yd TD55% → 99%OT 5:04

Swing in Lions win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Saints vs Lions
New Orleans SaintsMeasureDetroit Lions
86Plays73
71%Pass rate55%
6.2Yds / dropback5.1
3.6Yds / carry5.0
8/17Third downs5/13

Efficiency edge Detroit ran 13 fewer plays but gained 1.4 more yards per carry.

  • Top targets
  • NO Olave 25% · Vele 17% · Etienne 17%
  • DET Brown 36% · Williams 23% · LaPorta 21%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Saints vs Lions
ResultNODET
Touchdowns44
Field goals11
Punts57
Turnovers31
Missed field goals10

DET turnover edge: +2

  • The Lions opened the scoring on their second possession, a 13-play, 89-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Lions drained the clock with two second-half drives of four to six minutes.
All 28 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
DETQ1 15:00362:03Punt
NOQ1 12:576202:53Punt
DETQ1 10:0413896:25Touchdown
NOQ1 3:39331:06Punt
DETQ1 2:338163:53Punt
NOQ2 13:405251:13Punt
DETQ2 12:275113:06Punt
NOQ2 9:216-11:35Punt
DETQ2 7:46140:06Fumble
NOQ2 7:405202:15Interception
DETQ2 5:25332:13Punt
NOQ2 3:129362:52Punt
DETQ2 0:202110:20End of half
NOQ3 15:00100:09Interception
DETQ3 14:517413:37Touchdown
NOQ3 11:143-101:29Fumble
DETQ3 9:453250:51Touchdown
NOQ3 8:549794:27Touchdown
DETQ3 4:27351:07Punt
NOQ3 3:207542:52Touchdown
DETQ3 0:285182:25Punt
NOQ4 13:0311665:22Field goal
DETQ4 7:418455:09Field goal
NOQ4 2:328751:25Touchdown
DETQ4 1:07390:40Punt
NOQ4 0:275360:27Missed FG
DETOT 10:0010704:56Touchdown
NOOT 5:0410803:30Touchdown
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Saints vs Lions Head-to-Head

The Saints and Lions first met in 1968 and have played 29 times since.

All-time series
14–14–1Series tied, 29 meetings since 1968
Postseason
1–0Saints won in 2011
Largest Saints win
42–72008
Largest Lions win
27–101990

Since 2021

2–0 Lions lead

2 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. L = Lions win, S = Saints win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 3)

The 2026 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Saints vs Lions
SaintsStatLions
1-2Record2-1
27.0Points per game31.0
382.7Yards per game368.3
5.2Yards per play5.6
27.7Points allowed per game31.7
340.3Yards allowed per game416.7

Saints vs Lions Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
DET −7Lions failed to cover by 6
Total
49.5Over: 61 points scored (by 11.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Lions28.331+2.8
Saints21.330+8.8

Both offenses beat the market's expectation, and the Fantasy tab shows who cashed in.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2026 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

New Orleans Saints

Against the spread
1–0
Over/under
1–0
ATS as underdog
1–0
ATS on the road
1–0

Detroit Lions

Against the spread
0–1
Over/under
1–0
ATS as favorite
0–1
ATS at home
0–1

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Saints and Lions in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Saint or a Lion, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2026 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Saints vs Lions Game FAQ

Who won the 2026 Saints vs Lions Week 1 game?

The Detroit Lions beat the New Orleans Saints 31–30 in Week 1 of the 2026 season. The game was played at Ford Field in Detroit, MI, on September 13, 2026. See the Lions' 2026 schedule.

What was the final score of Saints vs Lions?

The final score was Lions 31, Saints 30 in overtime. The Lions led 7–0 at halftime, and the second half went Saints 24, Lions 17 before overtime.

What happened in the Saints vs Lions game?

Detroit led 7–0 at halftime, regulation ended 24–24, and the Lions won it 31–30 in overtime. New Orleans outgained the Lions 469–369. Jahmyr Gibbs led all players with 5 catches for 30 yards, plus 29 carries for 156 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. The Saints committed 3 turnovers, the Lions 1.

What was the game-winning score in Saints vs Lions?

Jared Goff's 4-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown with 5:04 left in the overtime gave the Lions a 31–24 lead they never gave up.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Saints vs Lions?

Jahmyr Gibbs led the game with 33.6 PPR fantasy points, the RB3 of Week 1, on 5 catches for 30 yards, plus 29 carries for 156 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown was next with 28.7 (WR4). See Jahmyr Gibbs's 2026 game log.

Who led Saints vs Lions in passing, rushing and receiving?

Tyler Shough (NO) led all passers with 35 of 56 for 410 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Jahmyr Gibbs (DET) led in rushing with 29 carries for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns. Chris Olave (NO) led in receiving with 10 catches for 182 yards.

How many fantasy points did Jahmyr Gibbs score against the Saints?

Jahmyr Gibbs scored 33.6 points in PPR leagues, 31.1 in half-PPR and 28.6 in standard scoring against the Saints in Week 1 of the 2026 season, on 5 catches for 30 yards, plus 29 carries for 156 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. He handled 88% of his team's carries.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Saints vs Lions?

Jahmyr Gibbs outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 33.6 PPR points on 26.2 xFP (+7.4). Jameson Williams fell furthest short, with 8.5 points on 15.7 xFP (−7.2). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Lions beat the Saints?

The Lions beat the Saints 31–30 because they won the turnover battle 3–1. Jared Goff's 4-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown put them ahead for good.

What is the all-time Saints vs Lions record?

The all-time series is tied 14–14–1 across 29 meetings since 1968, and the Saints are 1–0 in the postseason.

When did the Saints and Lions last play before this game?

Before Week 1 of 2026, they last met in the 2023 season on December 3, 2023, when the Lions beat the Saints 33–28.

Have the Saints and Lions met in the playoffs?

Yes, 1 time, most recently in the 2011 playoffs. The Saints are 1–0 against the Lions in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Saints vs Lions?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Lions −7, making the Detroit Lions 7-point favorites, with a closing total of 49.5. That implied about 28.3 points for the Lions and 21.3 for the Saints.

Did Saints vs Lions go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 49.5, and the teams combined for 61 points, 11.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Saints vs Lions?

The Saints covered as 7-point underdogs against the closing line of Lions −7. The final margin was 1 point.