Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints: 3rd quarter running diary

December 06, 2011

Bob Costas promos the NFL's Super Bowl halftime entertainer. It's going to be...Madonna? Isn't she 100 years old and talking with a British accent? Well, she can't be any worse than the Black Eyed Peas...

At least one team is supplying the offensive fireworks we were sold before the game, Saints have 304 total yards. Lions with 184, 52 of them coming on the last gasp throw setting up the...well, blocked FG attempt.

Lions will start the 3rd quarter with the ball. Stafford to Megatron for 21. Where was that in the 1st half. Johnson had only 2 catches, 19 yards before that play.

NBC gives us a shot of Fairley, has his left ankle heavily taped.

Smith run has the Lions over the 50.

Stafford shows good presence of mind in the pocket, steps up, finds Scheffler for a 1st down at the 26!

Burleson gets 11 more...and is roughed by a Saints well out of bounds...FLAG! Both players were called for a personal foul, as Burleson was busted for a face mask. Figures. It just...figures.

Smith hauls in a pass...but falls just short of the 1st down, as his ankle is too gimpy for him to make a cut and gives out.  And he's still down in a heap as NBC cuts to commercial. 

From Smith's reactions on the sidelines, he's done for the night. 

Morris has the Lions inside the 10, 2nd and 5. Straight handoff gets 4, 3rd and 1...and we have FLAGS EVERYWHERE, unnecessary roughness on Young.

Young throws a punch right in front of the ref...REALLY?

Lions will have to settle for a FG after Young pulls a Suh. Grow the fuck up.

Hanson's FG is good. 24-10, Saints. 

NBC shows Young getting a lecture on the sidelines from Raliola...lots of good it seems to do with this team of clueless hotheads.

I really don't care if the Saints are getting under the Lions' skin with rough play. YOU CAN'T RETALIATE. Period. But that's the Lions' rep, when you get under their skin, they get STUPID.

The Saints start where they left off, Brees connects with Graham for 15, Sproles around the left corner for 20. Saints in Lions' territory in the blink of an eye.

3rd and 7, Brees makes a dumb throw, as a Lions' blitz combined with a low snap = near pick for Wright. At least the Lions get a badly needed stop...but it could have been a pick 6.

Morris run, Megatron catch, Lions get 16, and are at their own 27.

Rasheid Davis with a big catch...and takes a HUGE hit, holding on at the 50!

Burleson with a nice catch...screw it. FLAG. Burleson called for offensive PI. Should have been a non-call...but the Lions have a rep, and don't get the benefit of the doubt.  I hate to say it, but the Lions have brought this shit upon themselves. 

Stafford sees Megatron all alone at the 10...but the ball is underthrown, and nearly picked. But a FLAG...on the Saints? Illegal contact gives the Lions a 1st down at the 50, instead of 4th and long.

Stafford hit as he throws....Scheffler with the catch at the 10! GREAT throw by Stafford!

Morris finishes the drive, take a Stafford pass at the 4, and diving into the end zone! Touchdown!

Amazingly, despite doing their damnedest, the Lions refuse to go away. The Saints' lead is down to 24-17.

The quarter ends with the Saints letting the clock run out after a short completion.

I'm stunned, but it's still a game...24-17 Saints. 15 minutes to go.