Saints vs Lions Week 1 2026: Final Score 31

Final/OT2026 Week 1

Ford Field, Detroit, MISun, Sep 13, 2026, 1:00 PM ET

New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions, Week 1 2026

New Orleans Saints

Away

Detroit Lions

HomeWon

Scoring by quarter
Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	OT	Final
Saints	0	0	14	10	6	30
Lions	7	0	14	3	7	31

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

Watch on YouTube: New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions Game Highlights | NFL 2026 Season Week 1

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
Saints	Stat	Lions
3	Turnovers	1

31:35	Time of possession	36:51

Other team stats
469	Total yards	369

5.5	Yards per play	5.1

86	Plays	73

47%	Third-down conversion	38%

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
Time	Team	Play	NO	DET
1st quarter
3:39	DET	Jahmyr Gibbs 1-yard TD run Takes leadJake Bates XP	0	7
2nd quarter
No scoring
3rd quarter
11:14	DET	Jahmyr Gibbs 1-yard TD run Extends leadJake Bates XP	0	14
8:54	DET	Jared Goff → Amon-Ra St. Brown, 19-yard TD Extends leadJake Bates XP	0	21
4:27	NO	Kendre Miller 8-yard TD runDaniel Carlson XP	7	21
0:28	NO	Tyler Shough → Devaughn Vele, 1-yard TDDaniel Carlson XP	14	21
4th quarter
7:41	NO	Daniel Carlson 28-yard FG	17	21
2:32	DET	Jake Bates 23-yard FG Extends lead	17	24
1:07	NO	Tyler Shough → Juwan Johnson, 9-yard TD Ties gameDaniel Carlson XP	24	24
Overtime
5:04	DET	Jared Goff → Amon-Ra St. Brown, 4-yard TD Game winnerJake Bates XP	24	31
1:34	NO	Tyler Shough → Noah Fant, 8-yard TD2-pt try failed	30	31

Fantasy Points: Saints vs Lions, Week 1 2026

Fantasy leaders

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

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	CMP/ATT	Pass YDS	TD	INT	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	Rate	Start/Sit
Tyler ShoughNOQB	25.2	QB6	35/56	410	3	2	4	8	0	87.6	Start/Sit →
Jared GoffDETQB	16.4	QB17	26/39	206	2	0	2	2	0	96.7	Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	POS	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	TGT	REC	Rec YDS	Rec TD	Start/Sit
Jahmyr GibbsDETRB	33.6	RB3	RB	29	156	2	5	5	30	0	Start/Sit →
Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR	28.7	WR4	WR	—	—	—	14	10	67	2	Start/Sit →
Chris OlaveNOWR	28.2	WR5	WR	—	—	—	13	10	182	0	Start/Sit →
Devaughn VeleNOWR	19.9	WR10	WR	—	—	—	9	7	69	1	Start/Sit →
Travis EtienneNORB	14.8	RB16	RB	9	46	0	9	7	32	0
Juwan JohnsonNOTE	14.4	TE7	TE	—	—	—	7	3	54	1	Start/Sit →
Noah FantNOTE	13.3	TE10	TE	—	—	—	8	4	33	1	Start/Sit →
Sam LaPortaDETTE	9.8	TE17	TE	—	—	—	8	5	48	0	Start/Sit →
Kendre MillerNORB	9.0	RB31	RB	9	30	1	—	—	—	—	Start/Sit →
Jameson WilliamsDETWR	8.5	WR45	WR	—	—	—	9	4	45	0	Start/Sit →
Bryce LanceNOWR	7.2	WR55	WR	—	—	—	4	3	42	0	Start/Sit →
Sione VakiDETRB	2.8	RB61	RB	2	7	0	1	1	11	0	Start/Sit →
Brock WrightDETTE	1.5	TE58	TE	—	—	—	1	1	5	0	Start/Sit →
CJ DonaldsonNORB	1.2	RB65	RB	2	4	0	2	1	-2	0	Start/Sit →
Barion BrownNOWR	0.3	WR108	WR	1	3	0	—	—	—	—	Start/Sit →
Isaac TeSlaaDETWR	0.0	—	WR	—	—	—	1	0	0	0	Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

New Orleans Saints

Snap Share

Devaughn VeleWR82 snaps91%
Chris OlaveWR77 snaps86%
Juwan JohnsonTE76 snaps84%
Bryce LanceWR62 snaps69%
Travis EtienneRB53 snaps59%

Target Share52 targets

Chris Olave25%, 13 targets
Travis Etienne17%, 9 targets
Devaughn Vele17%, 9 targets
Noah Fant15%, 8 targets
Juwan Johnson13%, 7 targets
Other12%, 6 targets

Carry Share25 carries

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

Detroit Lions

Snap Share

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

Target Share39 targets

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

Carry Share33 carries

Jahmyr Gibbs88%, 29 carries
Jared Goff6%, 2 carries
Sione Vaki6%, 2 carries

View full usage tableHide full usage table

Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
Player	SNAPS	SNAP %	TGT	TGT %	CAR
Devaughn VeleNOWR	82	91%	9	17%	0
Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR	69	90%	14	36%	0
Chris OlaveNOWR	77	86%	13	25%	0
Juwan JohnsonNOTE	76	84%	7	13%	0
Jameson WilliamsDETWR	65	84%	9	23%	0
Sam LaPortaDETTE	62	81%	8	21%	0
Jahmyr GibbsDETRB	57	74%	5	13%	29
Bryce LanceNOWR	62	69%	4	8%	0
Isaac TeSlaaDETWR	52	68%	1	3%	0
Travis EtienneNORB	53	59%	9	17%	9
Brock WrightDETTE	39	51%	1	3%	0
Noah FantNOTE	37	41%	8	15%	0
Kendre MillerNORB	26	29%	0	0%	9
Sione VakiDETRB	22	29%	1	3%	2
CJ DonaldsonNORB	15	17%	2	4%	2
Tyler ConklinDETTE	10	13%	0	0%	0
Treyton WelchNOTE	10	11%	0	0%	0
Barion BrownNOWR	7	8%	0	0%	1
Kevin AustinNOWR	5	6%	0	0%	0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

PPRHalf PPRStandard

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.

Biggest overperformer+7.4Jahmyr Gibbs33.6 PTS vs 26.2 xFP
Biggest underperformer−7.2Jameson Williams8.5 PTS vs 15.7 xFP
Highest expected volume28.6 xFPTyler Shough25.2 PTS scored

Usage and expected fantasy points
Player	PTS	xFP	vs xFP	Snap%	Usage	Rte%	Pass att	Car	Car%	Tgt	Tgt%
Tyler ShoughNO · QB	25.2	28.6	−3.4	100%	56 att	—	56	4	16%	0	0%
Jahmyr GibbsDET · RB	33.6	26.2	+7.4	74%	88% car	—	0	29	88%	5	13%
Amon-Ra St. BrownDET · WR	28.7	24.5	+4.2	90%	36% tgt	—	0	0	0%	14	36%
Chris OlaveNO · WR	28.2	22.7	+5.5	86%	25% tgt	—	0	0	0%	13	25%
Travis Etienne Jr.NO · RB	14.8	21.2	−6.4	59%	36% car	—	0	9	36%	9	17%
Jared GoffDET · QB	16.4	19.4	−3.0	100%	39 att	—	39	2	6%	0	0%
Devaughn VeleNO · WR	19.9	15.7	+4.2	91%	17% tgt	—	0	0	0%	9	17%
Jameson WilliamsDET · WR	8.5	15.7	−7.2	84%	23% tgt	—	0	0	0%	9	23%
Noah FantNO · TE	13.3	14.0	−0.7	41%	15% tgt	—	0	0	0%	8	15%
Sam LaPortaDET · TE	9.8	14.0	−4.2	81%	21% tgt	—	0	0	0%	8	21%
Juwan JohnsonNO · TE	14.4	12.2	+2.2	84%	13% tgt	—	0	0	0%	7	13%
Bryce LanceNO · WR	7.2	7.0	+0.2	69%	8% tgt	—	0	0	0%	4	8%
Kendre MillerNO · RB	9.0	5.4	+3.6	29%	36% car	—	0	9	36%	0	0%
CJ DonaldsonNO · RB	1.2	4.7	−3.5	17%	8% car	—	0	2	8%	2	4%
Sione VakiDET · RB	2.8	3.0	−0.2	29%	6% car	—	0	2	6%	1	3%
Brock WrightDET · TE	1.5	1.7	−0.2	51%	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%
Isaac TeSlaaDET · WR	0.0	1.7	−1.7	68%	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%
Barion BrownNO · WR	0.3	0.6	−0.3	8%	4% car	—	0	1	4%	0	0%

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 to	Saints D	Lions D
QBs	18.1	30.0
RBs	26.5	19.7
WRs	29.0	39.0
TEs	20.7	33.4

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

Key Swings

+17Gibbs 1-yd TD run68% → 85%Q1 3:39
+10Gibbs 1-yd TD run87% → 97%Q3 11:14
−10Carlson 28-yd FG95% → 84%Q4 7:41
−47Shough → Johnson, 9-yd TD>99% → 53%Q4 1:07
+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 Saints	Measure	Detroit Lions
86	Plays	73
71%	Pass rate	55%
6.2	Yds / dropback	5.1
3.6	Yds / carry	5.0
8/17	Third downs	5/13

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
Result	NO	DET
Touchdowns	4	4
Field goals	1	1
Punts	5	7
Turnovers	3	1
Missed field goals	1	0

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
Team	Start	Plays	Yards	Time	Result
DET	Q1 15:00	3	6	2:03	Punt
NO	Q1 12:57	6	20	2:53	Punt
DET	Q1 10:04	13	89	6:25	Touchdown
NO	Q1 3:39	3	3	1:06	Punt
DET	Q1 2:33	8	16	3:53	Punt
NO	Q2 13:40	5	25	1:13	Punt
DET	Q2 12:27	5	11	3:06	Punt
NO	Q2 9:21	6	-1	1:35	Punt
DET	Q2 7:46	1	4	0:06	Fumble
NO	Q2 7:40	5	20	2:15	Interception
DET	Q2 5:25	3	3	2:13	Punt
NO	Q2 3:12	9	36	2:52	Punt
DET	Q2 0:20	2	11	0:20	End of half
NO	Q3 15:00	1	0	0:09	Interception
DET	Q3 14:51	7	41	3:37	Touchdown
NO	Q3 11:14	3	-10	1:29	Fumble
DET	Q3 9:45	3	25	0:51	Touchdown
NO	Q3 8:54	9	79	4:27	Touchdown
DET	Q3 4:27	3	5	1:07	Punt
NO	Q3 3:20	7	54	2:52	Touchdown
DET	Q3 0:28	5	18	2:25	Punt
NO	Q4 13:03	11	66	5:22	Field goal
DET	Q4 7:41	8	45	5:09	Field goal
NO	Q4 2:32	8	75	1:25	Touchdown
DET	Q4 1:07	3	9	0:40	Punt
NO	Q4 0:27	5	36	0:27	Missed FG
DET	OT 10:00	10	70	4:56	Touchdown
NO	OT 5:04	10	80	3:30	Touchdown

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

2026 Wk 1 Saints at Lions Sun, Sep 13, 2026 DET 31 NO 30 DET W
2023 Wk 13 Lions at Saints, 2023 Wk 13 recap Sun, Dec 3, 2023 DET 33 NO 28 DET W

Season to Date (Through Week 3)

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

Season to date, Saints vs Lions
Saints	Stat	Lions
1-2	Record	2-1

27.0	Points per game	31.0

382.7	Yards per game	368.3

5.2	Yards per play	5.6

27.7	Points allowed per game	31.7

340.3	Yards allowed per game	416.7

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
Team	Implied	Actual	Difference
Lions	28.3	31	+2.8
Saints	21.3	30	+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.