Why this game scares me.

It's not that I think the Saints WILL lose, it's just that if any team is capable of lumbering to the finish line like a tranquilized elephant, it's this team. And the Lions are just the sort of disappointing bastards to hold firm for most of the game, keeping the game all too close going into the last frame, where even one mistake could tip the scales for either squad. Kevin Ferguson at 'Side Lion Report' says the Lions will disappoint their fans by actually winning instead of tanking the game, when it's obvious they ought to do it. Also, the Lions are 6-8 over the last two games in the last seven years. Picked that up from the aforementioned blog post as well.

I learned that Dan the Polish Guy will be starting for the Lions, after posting a 96.8 QB rating against the Colts. See, Dan-O is just capable enough of finding Calvin Johnson to torch (insert name of Saints' secondary player) repeatedly on Sunday.

That said, Drew Brees ought to shred this Lions secondary, which has given up 221 ypg through the air, pulled down only four interceptions and has allowed opposing quarterbacks to post a 108.4 rating, worst in the NFL.

My prediction? Saints win, 34-24. The Lions stay in the game through three quarters but ultimately cannot stop Brees and Pierre Thomas.

For pre-game music, I'm going with the song "Ecstasy of Gold" from the western "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly." This game features one good offense (Saints), one bad defense (Saints), and one ugly franchise (Lions).