Lions Vs. Saints, NFL Playoffs 2012: New Orleans Advances With 45-28 Victory Over Detroit

But before we look to next week, let’s rewind at what went down on the first day of Wild Card weekend.

Houston’s first franchise playoff victory. And it comes in their first franchise playoff appearance. The Texans have been in existence since 2002 and they hadn’t made the playoffs until this year, which means they didn’t have any playoff wins either. They pick up their first one while extending the Bengals streak another year. The Bengals last playoff win came against the Houston Oilers in 1991.

And peer pressure also won as Spencer tweeted a photo of the dressed up pup.

Via

Related: Saints Vs. 49ers: Divisional Round Matchup Set

Check out the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule. For more on the Saints and their trip to the playoffs, check out SB Nation’s Canal Street Chronicles. For more on the Lions and their first playoff appearance in over a decade visit Pride of Detroit.

Time to play a game of eye spy with the crowd at the Superdome. Ready, go!

First we have the man in the LSU polo, smiling with the biggest, goofiest grin. Geaux Tigers!

The two teams will meet on Saturday, January 14 at 4:30 p.m. (ET) on FOX.

For more on the 49ers, check out Niners Nation and for the Saints check out Canal Street Chronicles. Here’s a look at the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule.

Check out the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule. For more on the Saints and their trip to the playoffs, check out SB Nation’s Canal Street Chronicles. For more on the Lions and their first playoff appearance in over a decade visit Pride of Detroit.

His latest touchdown was another good one, right in the middle of traffic:

Johnson has been the only constant on the Lions team throughout the game. 210 yards in a game with this atmosphere is impressive. He’s a target for Stafford even when he isn’t open and he needs so much attention that he creates opportunities for others.

Brees now has 425 yards and three touchdowns in the game. His regular season was almost unbelievable and he’s starting off the post season on the right foot.

The Saints are on their way to a blowout if the Lions can’t mount a comeback in the final seven and a half minutes.

If Johnson had caught it he would add to what is already a memorable day -- nine catches for 173 yards and a touchdown. Of course, we’ll only remember it if the Lions can come back and win.

Check out the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule. For more on the Saints and their trip to the playoffs, check out SB Nation’s Canal Street Chronicles. For more on the Lions and their first playoff appearance in over a decade visit Pride of Detroit.

The Saints picked up short chunks of yards instead of their typical big chunks of yardage and just bled time off the clock. On another third and long, Brees connected with Sproles to pick up the first down. On the very next play, Sproles took the handoff off the left tackle for a 17-yard touchdown run, his second of the night, untouched.

Check out the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule. For more on the Saints and their trip to the playoffs, check out SB Nation’s Canal Street Chronicles. For more on the Lions and their first playoff appearance in over a decade visit Pride of Detroit.

Johnson caught the 42-yard bomb inside the Saints five yard line and on the next play Stafford boot-legged his way into the end zone for six points making the score 24-21. The Lions got down the field quickly and turned it into a one-score game, which is exactly what they needed.

Johnson now stands at nine catches for 173 yards which is....pretty incredible, as you might guess. He’s an absolute beast and Stafford has the “No one’s open so I’ll just throw it deep to Megatron” attitude which actually works, like it did in this game.

Check out the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule. For more on the Saints and their trip to the playoffs, check out SB Nation’s Canal Street Chronicles. For more on the Lions and their first playoff appearance in over a decade visit Pride of Detroit.

Trailing for the first time all game, following a long touchdown catch by Devery Henderson that put the Saints up 17-14, Matt Stafford and the Detroit Lions took the field for their first drive of the second half. The Lions built up a 14-10 lead heading into the half, but fell victim to New Orleans’ quick strike offense and needed an answer. And on the first play from scrimmage, Detroit got its drive started off on the right foot, picking up a large chunk of yardage.

Stafford connected with Calvin Johnson for 21 yards and a first down to open the drive -- a promising start for the Lions. But that was about the only positive on the drive as a run that went nowhere on first down was followed by a back-breaking holding penalty, putting the Lions in a second and long situation. Stafford’s next pass was incomplete, and though he found Nate Burleson for eight yards on third down, the Lions were forced to punt, giving the ball back to a New Orleans offense that seems to be finding its groove.

Check out the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule. For more on the Saints and their trip to the playoffs, check out SB Nation’s Canal Street Chronicles. For more on the Lions and their first playoff appearance in over a decade visit Pride of Detroit.

In addition to the odd completed pass call, there was a flag on the play and the defender was called for a personal foul. See if you can figure out why:

The Saints haven’t lost at home this season so the Lions are trying to do what no one else has done this season.

Check out the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule. For more on the Saints and their trip to the playoffs, check out SB Nation’s Canal Street Chronicles. For more on the Lions and their first playoff appearance in over a decade visit Pride of Detroit.

Check out the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule. For more on the Saints and their trip to the playoffs, check out SB Nation’s Canal Street Chronicles. For more on the Lions and their first playoff appearance in over a decade visit Pride of Detroit.

But overall, as we approach halftime, the Detroit offense is playing well enough to win.

Stafford has 180 yards passing already and looks like he and the rest of the offense can hang in there with the Saints. They’re outplaying them through one half. Calvin Johnson looks terrific and has five receptions for 76 yards. When in doubt, Stafford tends to go deep to Johnson.

As you can see, it’s clearly a fumble and it’s clear the Lions recover the ball. The referees blew the whistle as the Lions were picking up what should have been an easy return for a touchdown to put the them up 21-7, but because of the whistle they could not advance the football.

Former director of officiating Mike Pereira explains:

In a little over a quarter, the Lions have had drives of eight plays (80 yards) and nine plays 87) yards and both have gone for touchdowns. That’s a good indication that the Lions are going to be able to move the ball and score a lot of points in this game. The Saints can do the same but they haven’t seen many teams who can match their firepower like the Lions can.

The Lions are heavy underdogs in this game considering the Saints haven’t lost at home all year. It’s still early but it appears as if the Lions will make a game out of this.

Check out the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule. For more on the Saints and their trip to the playoffs, check out SB Nation’s Canal Street Chronicles. For more on the Lions and their first playoff appearance in over a decade visit Pride of Detroit.

The Lions converted two third downs on this drive so they’ve shown they can move the ball. They still hold a 7-0 lead over the Saints.

It’s still early but the Lions are playing well enough right now.

I just ... I don’t even know. I don’t want to be anywhere near Kyle Vanden Bosch and this image is going to haunt me forever. He’s possessed or something and we should probably just call this game off on account of AHHH DEVIL ON THE FIELD.

You’re welcome, Internet, and good night.

Check out the complete 2012 NFL playoffs schedule. For more on the Saints and their trip to the playoffs, check out SB Nation’s Canal Street Chronicles. For more on the Lions and their first playoff appearance in over a decade visit Pride of Detroit.

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