Saints vs Lions 2026: Final Score, Stats, Highlights & Overtime Recap
Saints vs Lions 2026: Score, Stats & OT Highlights
The Saints vs Lions Week 1 matchup delivered one of the most dramatic games of the opening weekend as the Detroit Lions defeated the New Orleans Saints 31-30 in overtime at Ford Field.
Detroit appeared to be cruising after building a 21-0 lead, but New Orleans produced a remarkable second-half comeback behind quarterback Tyler Shough, who threw for a career-high 410 yards.
The Saints eventually forced overtime at 24-24.
Detroit then scored first in overtime when Jared Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 4-yard touchdown.
New Orleans answered with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Shough to Noah Fant, cutting Detroit’s lead to 31-30.
Instead of kicking the extra point to extend the game, the Saints attempted a two-point conversion for the win.
Shough’s pass fell incomplete.
Detroit survived.
Final score: Lions 31, Saints 30 in overtime.
The victory sends Detroit to 1-0, while New Orleans begins the 2026 season 0-1.
For fans following the rest of the opening weekend, Elite Era Trends also covers the latest NFL games, scores and schedules.
Saints vs Lions Final Score
Here is the complete scoring breakdown:
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 0 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 30 |
| Detroit Lions | 7 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 31 |
Final: Detroit Lions 31, New Orleans Saints 30 (OT)
New Orleans actually outscored Detroit 30-10 after falling behind 21-0, but the Saints’ final two-point conversion attempt failed.
That one play ultimately decided the game.
Who Won Saints vs Lions?
The Detroit Lions beat the New Orleans Saints 31-30 in overtime on September 13, 2026.
Detroit scored first in overtime on a touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
New Orleans then responded with a touchdown of its own.
Rather than kicking the extra point to tie the game at 31, the Saints attempted a two-point conversion to win immediately.
Tyler Shough targeted Brennan Lance, but the pass was incomplete.
The failed conversion ended the game.
Saints vs Lions 2026 Game Recap
The final score does not fully explain how unusual this game was.
Detroit controlled the first half and early third quarter before New Orleans completely changed the momentum.
First Quarter: Lions Strike First
Detroit opened the scoring when Jahmyr Gibbs punched in a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
Jake Bates converted the extra point.
That gave Detroit a:
7-0 lead
The Lions defense controlled the rest of the first half.
New Orleans struggled to establish offensive rhythm, while Detroit’s pass rush created problems for Shough.
The Saints entered halftime without scoring.
Halftime Score: Lions 7, Saints 0
The score was only 7-0 at halftime, but the game changed rapidly after the break.
Detroit came out aggressively in the third quarter.
Third Quarter: Detroit Builds a 21-0 Lead
Jahmyr Gibbs scored his second rushing touchdown early in the third quarter.
The 1-yard run increased Detroit’s lead to:
Lions 14, Saints 0
The Lions struck again just over two minutes later.
Jared Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 19-yard touchdown.
Suddenly the score was:
Lions 21, Saints 0
At that point, Detroit appeared to have complete control.
But New Orleans responded.
Saints Begin the Comeback
Running back Kendre Miller scored on an 8-yard run to put the Saints on the scoreboard.
New Orleans then added another touchdown late in the third quarter when Shough found Devaughn Vele for a 1-yard score.
After three quarters:
Lions 21, Saints 14
The Saints had erased two-thirds of Detroit’s 21-point lead.
Fourth Quarter: Saints Force Overtime
New Orleans continued its comeback with a 28-yard field goal.
That cut Detroit’s advantage to:
21-17
The Lions responded with a short Jake Bates field goal, increasing the lead to:
24-17
New Orleans had one final chance.
Shough led another scoring drive and connected with Juwan Johnson for a 9-yard touchdown with 1:13 remaining.
The extra point tied the game:
Saints 24, Lions 24
After once trailing 21-0, New Orleans had forced overtime.
Overtime: Lions Score First
Detroit received another opportunity to put the game away.
Goff guided the Lions into the red zone before finding St. Brown for a 4-yard touchdown.
The extra point gave Detroit a:
31-24 lead
Under the NFL’s overtime format, New Orleans still had an opportunity to answer.
And the Saints did.
Tyler Shough Leads One Final Drive
Shough moved New Orleans down the field.
A key 27-yard completion to Juwan Johnson helped put the Saints inside the Detroit 10-yard line.
With 1:38 remaining in overtime, Shough connected with Noah Fant for an 8-yard touchdown.
That cut the score to:
Lions 31, Saints 30
New Orleans then faced a major decision.
Kick the extra point and extend the game?
Or attempt a two-point conversion and try to win immediately?
The Saints chose the aggressive option.
Why Did the Saints Lose?
New Orleans attempted a two-point conversion after its overtime touchdown.
Shough dropped back and targeted Brennan Lance.
The pass fell incomplete.
Game over.
Detroit won 31-30.
The failed conversion will understandably receive significant attention, but the Saints had other problems earlier in the game.
New Orleans committed three turnovers, while Detroit committed only one.
Those turnovers helped the Lions build the early lead that New Orleans spent the rest of the game trying to overcome.
Tyler Shough Stats vs Lions
Tyler Shough produced one of the most impressive statistical performances of NFL Week 1 despite the loss.
| Stat | Tyler Shough |
|---|---|
| Completions | 35 |
| Attempts | 56 |
| Passing yards | 410 |
| Passing TDs | 3 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Rushing yards | 8 |
Shough became only the third Saints quarterback to throw for at least 400 yards in a game, joining Drew Brees and Aaron Brooks.
His final stat line was extraordinary considering how poorly the game began for New Orleans.
Shough threw three touchdown passes and helped erase a 21-point deficit.
However, turnovers were a major issue.
He threw two interceptions, while New Orleans also lost a fumble.
Those mistakes proved costly in a game ultimately decided by one point.
Chris Olave Has Huge Game vs Detroit
Chris Olave produced one of the best receiving performances of Week 1.
Olave finished with:
10 receptions
182 receiving yards
18.2 yards per catch
47-yard longest reception
Although Olave did not score a touchdown, he consistently created explosive plays against Detroit’s secondary.
His performance helped Shough reach 410 passing yards.
Olave accounted for more than 44% of Shough’s passing yardage.
Calculation:
182 ÷ 410 × 100 = approximately 44.4%
That illustrates just how central Olave was to the Saints passing attack.
Jahmyr Gibbs Dominates Saints Defense
Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs was one of the biggest reasons the Lions survived.
Gibbs finished with:
| Stat | Jahmyr Gibbs |
|---|---|
| Carries | 29 |
| Rushing yards | 156 |
| Average | 5.4 yards |
| Rushing TDs | 2 |
| Receiving yards | 30 |
Gibbs scored Detroit’s first two rushing touchdowns.
He averaged approximately:
156 ÷ 29 = 5.38 yards per carry
That consistent production allowed Detroit to control possession and keep the Saints defense on the field.
His workload was also notable.
Gibbs carried the ball 29 times, making him the clear centerpiece of Detroit’s rushing offense.
Jared Goff Stats vs Saints
Jared Goff did not produce the eye-catching yardage total that Shough did, but he played efficiently.
| Stat | Jared Goff |
|---|---|
| Completions | 26 |
| Attempts | 39 |
| Passing yards | 206 |
| Passing TDs | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
Goff’s biggest strength was ball security.
While New Orleans committed three turnovers, Goff did not throw an interception.
Both of his touchdown passes went to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The second came in overtime and eventually became the game-winning scoring drive.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Scores Twice
Amon-Ra St. Brown remained one of Goff’s most dependable targets.
He finished with:
10 receptions
67 receiving yards
2 touchdowns
St. Brown caught Detroit’s 19-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
He then delivered another touchdown in overtime.
That second score gave Detroit the 31-24 lead that New Orleans was unable to overcome.
Saints Receiving Stats
New Orleans produced 469 total yards, largely because of its passing attack.
Several receivers contributed.
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Olave | 10 | 182 | 0 |
| Devaughn Vele | 7 | 69 | 1 |
| Juwan Johnson | 3 | 54 | 1 |
| Noah Fant | — | — | 1 |
Olave was clearly the biggest receiving threat, but Shough spread touchdown passes among multiple players.
That distribution helped New Orleans mount its second-half comeback.
Saints vs Lions Team Stats
The team statistics show why this was such a strange game.
| Statistic | Saints | Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 30 | 31 |
| Total yards | 469 | 369 |
| Yards per play | 5.5 | 5.1 |
| Offensive plays | 86 | 73 |
| Rushing attempts | 25 | 33 |
| Time of possession | 31:35 | 36:51 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Penalties | 6 | 8 |
| Penalty yards | 53 | 61 |
New Orleans outgained Detroit by exactly:
469 – 369 = 100 yards
Yet the Saints lost.
The biggest explanation is turnovers.
New Orleans gave the ball away three times compared with only one Detroit turnover.
That helped the Lions turn a game in which they were outgained into a victory.
How Did the Lions Win Despite Being Outgained?
Detroit won because it was more efficient with its opportunities.
The Lions:
- committed fewer turnovers,
- established a strong running game,
- built an early 21-point advantage,
- scored a touchdown on their overtime possession,
- and stopped the final two-point conversion.
New Orleans moved the football extremely well in the second half.
But overcoming a 21-point deficit required the Saints to play nearly perfectly down the stretch.
They came incredibly close.
Three Reasons Detroit Beat New Orleans
1. Jahmyr Gibbs Controlled the Running Game
Gibbs’ 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns provided Detroit with reliable offense.
His ability to consistently gain yards allowed the Lions to maintain drives and manage the game.
2. Detroit Won the Turnover Battle
New Orleans committed three turnovers.
Detroit committed one.
In a game decided by one point, a +2 turnover differential was extremely valuable.
3. Detroit Won the Final Play
Ultimately, the entire game came down to one snap.
New Orleans had a chance to win with a successful two-point conversion.
Detroit’s defense forced an incomplete pass.
That one stop preserved the victory.
What Went Right for the Saints?
Despite the loss, New Orleans showed several encouraging signs.
The Saints demonstrated considerable resilience after falling behind 21-0.
Shough produced a career-best passing performance.
Olave looked like a true No. 1 receiver.
And New Orleans generated 469 yards of total offense.
The Saints also scored 30 points after being shut out for the entire first half.
Those are meaningful positives.
What Went Wrong for New Orleans?
The obvious issue was turnovers.
Shough threw two interceptions, while the Saints also lost a fumble.
New Orleans also allowed Detroit to establish its running attack.
The Lions rushed for 165 total yards as a team, with Gibbs accounting for 156 of them.
Finally, New Orleans failed on the most important play of the game: the overtime two-point conversion.
Was Going for Two the Right Decision?
The Saints’ decision to attempt a two-point conversion will be one of the most debated moments from the game.
A successful conversion would have given New Orleans a 32-31 victory.
A failed conversion ended the game.
The Saints chose the aggressive option rather than kicking an extra point to continue overtime.
Whether the decision was strategically correct depends partly on the team’s estimated conversion probability compared with its chances of winning if the game continued.
What is certain is that the play did not work.
Shough’s pass fell incomplete, giving Detroit the victory.
What the Win Means for Detroit
Detroit begins its 2026 season 1-0.
The Lions entered the new season after finishing 9-8 in 2025 and missing the playoffs.
Starting with a win is therefore important as Detroit attempts to return to postseason contention.
However, the game also exposed some concerns.
Detroit allowed New Orleans to erase a 21-point lead.
The Lions defense surrendered 410 passing yards to Tyler Shough and 469 total yards.
That secondary will face another difficult challenge very quickly.
When Do the Lions Play Next?
Detroit’s next game comes on a short week.
The Lions travel to face the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET.
The game will be carried on Prime Video.
That gives Detroit only a few days to recover from a long overtime game before facing Buffalo.
What the Loss Means for the Saints
New Orleans begins the season 0-1.
That record does not tell the whole story.
The Saints showed significant offensive potential, particularly through Shough and Olave.
But the team’s next challenge is difficult.
New Orleans has another road game in Week 2.
When Do the Saints Play Next?
The Saints travel to face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
The game is scheduled for:
12 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. ET
and will air on CBS.
New Orleans therefore begins its 2026 season with consecutive road games.
Saints vs Lions All-Time Record
Before the 2026 game, New Orleans led the overall series 14-13-1, including postseason play.
Detroit’s 31-30 victory adds another Lions win.
That means the series is now tied:
Saints 14 wins
Lions 14 wins
1 tie
Calculation:
Previous record: Saints 14-13-1 Lions
2026 result: Detroit win
Updated record: 14-14-1
The two franchises have therefore been remarkably evenly matched over their history.
Recent Saints vs Lions Results
Recent meetings have also produced plenty of offense.
| Season | Result |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Lions 31, Saints 30 (OT) |
| 2023 | Lions 33, Saints 28 |
| 2020 | Saints 35, Lions 29 |
Detroit has now won the two most recent meetings.
The 2026 contest was considerably closer than the 2023 matchup, requiring overtime and a failed two-point conversion to separate the teams.
Saints vs Lions Search Interest: Why Fans Are Searching the Matchup
Search interest around Saints vs Lions naturally increases around kickoff and immediately after a close game.
The 2026 matchup produced several strong post-game search angles:
- Saints vs Lions score
- Lions vs Saints final score
- who won Saints vs Lions
- Tyler Shough stats
- Chris Olave stats
- Jahmyr Gibbs stats
- Saints two-point conversion
- Lions Saints overtime
- Saints vs Lions highlights
The dramatic overtime finish increases the likelihood that people continue searching for the result, key plays and player statistics after the game.
Note: Google Trends measures search interest on a normalized 0-100 scale rather than providing raw search-volume counts. No specific Google Trends value is included here because a verified current Trends series was not available when this article was prepared.
Saints vs Lions FAQs
Who won Saints vs Lions?
The Detroit Lions defeated the New Orleans Saints 31-30 in overtime on September 13, 2026.
What was the Saints vs Lions final score?
The final score was Detroit Lions 31, New Orleans Saints 30.
Did Saints vs Lions go to overtime?
Yes. New Orleans erased a 21-point deficit and tied the game at 24-24 before the game went to overtime.
Why did the Saints lose?
After scoring a touchdown in overtime to make it 31-30, New Orleans attempted a two-point conversion for the win. Tyler Shough’s pass was incomplete.
How many yards did Tyler Shough throw for?
Shough completed 35 of 56 passes for a career-high 410 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
How many rushing yards did Jahmyr Gibbs have?
Gibbs rushed for 156 yards on 29 carries and scored two touchdowns.
How did Chris Olave play against Detroit?
Olave caught 10 passes for 182 yards, leading the Saints in receiving.
How many touchdowns did Amon-Ra St. Brown score?
St. Brown caught two touchdown passes, including Detroit’s overtime touchdown.
How many yards did Jared Goff throw for?
Goff completed 26 of 39 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
How many turnovers did the Saints have?
New Orleans committed three turnovers compared with one by Detroit.
Did the Saints lead at any point?
New Orleans never led. The Saints came back from 21-0 down and tied the game before eventually losing by one point in overtime.
What is the Saints vs Lions all-time record?
After Detroit’s 2026 victory, the all-time series is tied 14-14-1, based on the 14-13-1 Saints advantage before this game plus Detroit’s latest win.
When do the Lions play next?
Detroit plays at the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 8:15 p.m. ET.
When do the Saints play next?
New Orleans visits the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Saints vs Lions matchup produced one of the most dramatic finishes of NFL Week 1.
Detroit built a seemingly comfortable 21-0 lead, only for New Orleans to produce a remarkable comeback behind Tyler Shough.
Shough finished with 410 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Chris Olave delivered 182 receiving yards.
Detroit responded with dominant production from Jahmyr Gibbs, who rushed for 156 yards and two scores.
Amon-Ra St. Brown caught two touchdowns, including Detroit’s overtime score.
New Orleans then answered with an overtime touchdown of its own.
The Saints chose to go for the win with a two-point conversion instead of extending the game.
The pass fell incomplete.
Detroit Lions 31, New Orleans Saints 30.
It was a one-point game decided on one final play—and one of the best finishes of the opening NFL weekend.
