Lions Edge Saints in Wild Shootout as DarkHorse Under Goes Down in Flames

The Lions escaped with a 31-30 nail-biter over the Saints in a game that made our under 49.5 look foolish from the opening kickoff. So much for offensive uncertainty.

Spencer Rattler and that supposedly compromised New Orleans attack put up 30 points, shredding every concern about their depleted skill positions and offensive line issues. Turns out Rattler didn't need Alvin Kamara or Audric Estime to move the football—the Saints found enough firepower to keep pace in what became an old-fashioned track meet.

Detroit's Joshua Dobbs, who we flagged for his microscopic two-game sample size, clearly didn't get the memo about offensive limitations. The Lions posted 31 points, well above their season average, as Dobbs navigated the home crowd to a narrow victory that came down to the final possession.

The 61 combined points obliterated the 49.5 total, missing by more than a touchdown and exposing the flaw in leaning too heavily on personnel concerns. Both offenses showed up ready to score, depth charts be damned. Credit where it's due—these quarterbacks and their makeshift supporting casts delivered entertainment, even if they torched our ticket in the process. Sometimes the backups just ball out.