Week 1 is finally here. It's been a long offseason for New Orleans Saints fans, but hardly a boring one -- now it's time to test that optimism against one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL. The Saints will kick off their season opener on the road against the Detroit Lions who are eager themselves to prove last year's underwhelming results are not their new normal. Detroit wants to get back to the playoffs. New Orleans just wants to get there. Someone is leaving Ford Field disappointed.
Our staff writers have shared their picks for Sunday's final score, with bold predictions. Here's how we see this one playing out.
Saints 25, Lions 22
Detroit is favored by a touchdown, and for good reason. They're 18-7 at home the last three years while the Saints are 9-17 on the road
in the same span. The Lions have built a roster that's ready for the playoffs, with big-play threats in Amon-Ra St. Brown (37 receptions of 15 or more yards, 4th-most), Jameson Williams (35 catches, 5th-most) and Jahmyr Gibbs (14 rushes of 15 or more yards last season, 8th-most). But we saw Brandon Staley's defense clamp up high-powered offenses like the Buffalo Bills (14 points on six first-half drives) last season. On top of that, the Lions' own defense is suspect. Even if New Orleans doesn't have Jordyn Tyson, the Saints made enough upgrades in the run game to help dictate terms. Travis Etienne Jr. running behind Kelvin Banks Jr., David Edwards, and Erik McCoy could be a powerful combo against a Lions run defense that ranked 9th-worst in yards per carry last year (4.4).
Bold prediction: The Saints pull off the upset and start their season with a win. This team is faster, stronger, and more talented than it was one year ago, and that should make a difference. Detroit is dealing with a lot of injuries (including both of their starting safeties) and New Orleans just might catch them slipping. -- John Sigler
Saints 27, Lions 24
New Orleans goes on the road and upsets a predicted playoff contender to open their second season under Kellen Moore. The Saints do just enough on defense to contain Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon Ra St. Brown while forcing a couple crucial turnovers from Jared Goff. Offensively, quarterback Tyler Shough continues his tremendous promise as a rookie and takes great care of the ball while converting a few big passes.
Bold prediction: Travis Etienne Jr. has a 100-yard rushing performance in his first game as a Saint. -- Bob Rose
Lions 31, Saints 25
The new-look New Orleans Saints are here, with Tyler Shough getting the starting role from the opener and new additions such as Travis Etienne Jr. and David Edwards to help him. However, they open up the year with a huge test against the Detroit Lions, who have Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Amon-Ra St.Brown and more. While the Saints defense did get some positive upgrades, it likely will struggle to hold firm against one of the most productive offenses in the NFL.
Bold prediction: Daniel Carlson sets a career high with six field goals made, surpassing his previous high of five (has occurred twice previously). -- Jeremy Trottier
Saints 27, Lions 24
The Saints head into Ford Field and knock off a perennial playoff contender in a statement win. Tyler Shough is ready to take a Year 2 leap, and he has enough weapons around him to keep Detroit’s defense honest. Olave closed the 2025 season with back-to-back 100-yard games, but after signing a massive contract extension, he takes his game to another level and torches the Lions’ secondary.
Bold prediction: Chris Olave eclipses 150 receiving yards, a career-high (he had 148 receiving yards against the New York Jets in Week 16 last season). -- Arye Pulli
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Week 1 staff picks: Bold predictions, final score for Saints at Lions
