The New Orleans Saints are through to the next round after a 45-28 win over the Detroit Lions. For more on this game, check out Lions blog Pride of Detroit, Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles and SB Nations Saints-Lions StoryStream.
NFL Playoffs 2012: Arian Foster, Texans Dominate; Drew Brees, Saints Offense Explodes Again

Getty ImagesBut 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.
Read Article >PHOTO: Saints Won, Wiener
NFC Wildcard 2012, Lions Vs. Saints Final Score: Drew Brees Lights Up Lions Defense In Victory
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.
Read Article >PHOTO: New Orleans Saints Fans Are Awesome
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!
Read Article >NFL Playoffs Schedule: Saints, 49ers Will Meet In Divisional Round

Getty ImagesThe 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.
Read Article >Lions Vs. Saints 2012: Drew Brees Puts The Nail In The Lions Coffin
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.
Read Article >VIDEO: Calvin Johnson Setting Records And Scoring Touchdowns
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.
Read Article >Lions Vs. Saints Score: The Rout Is On As Saints Take 17-Point Lead
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.
Read Article >NFC Wild Card: Lions Turn It Over, Saints Take Control In Fourth Quarter
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.
Read Article >VIDEO: Darren Sproles Touchdown Puts Saints Up 31-21
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.
Read Article >VIDEO: Matthew Stafford’s Bomb To Calvin Johnson Sets Up Lions Score
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.
Read Article >Drew Brees’ Second Touchdown Puts Saints Up 24-14
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.
Read Article >NFL Playoffs Update: Lions Come Up Empty, Saints Lead In Third Quarter
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.
Read Article >VIDEO: Drew Brees, Devery Henderson Connect For 41-Yard Touchdown
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.
Read Article >ANIMATED: Marques Colston’s Touchdown That Wasn’t, And The Odd Personal Foul
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:
Read Article >Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson Lead Lions To Halftime Advantage Over Saints
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.
Read Article >NFC Wild Card 2012, Lions Vs. Saints: Detroit Holds New Orleans To A Field Goal
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.
Read Article >Lions Vs. Saints 2012: Detroit Offense Showing It Can Hang With New Orleans
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.
Read Article >VIDEO: Drew Brees Fumbles, Early Whistle Wipes Out Lions Touchdown
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:
Read Article >Lions Vs. Saints Score: Matthew Stafford To Calvin Johnson Gives Detroit 14-7 Lead
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.
Read Article >Lions Vs. Saints Score Update: Darren Sproles Touchdown Ties It Up 7-7
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.
Read Article >Lions Vs. Saints 2012: Detroit Offense Loves Going Deep
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.
Read Article >PHOTO: Kyle Vanden Bosch Is Terrifying
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.
Read Article >NFC Wild Card 2012, Lions Vs. Saints: Marques Colston Fumble Gives Ball Right Back To Lions
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.
Read Article >PHOTO: Brett Favre Is Waiting For The Call