The New Orleans Saints have an opportunity to make a statement when they visit the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Winning at Ford Field would be a strong way to begin Kellen Moore's second season and give New Orleans something to build on. The Saints finished last season with four wins in their final five games, and Tyler Shough gave the team reason to feel good about its future at quarterback. Now, they get to see how much of that progress carries over against a talented Detroit team.
There are plenty of challenges in the matchup, but the Saints also have opportunities to take advantage of. Here are three reasons for optimism heading into Sunday's opener.
Chris Olave has an opportunity against Detroit’s depleted secondary
The Lions will open the season without starting safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, who are
both on injured reserve with knee and Achilles injuries, respectively. Veterans Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox are expected to take their place, which means that the Lions will have a different look on the back end.
That should give the Saints a reason to be aggressive with Olave, who finished last season with 100 catches for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns. Juwan Johnson is another threat that Detroit must monitor after he caught 77 passes for 889 yards. That will make it harder for the Lions to focus all of their attention on New Orleans' top receiver.
Chase Young is healthy and coming off his best season
Young put together a career-high 10 sacks in just 12 games last season after a minor calf injury sidelined him for the first five weeks. This season, he's entering the opener healthy after getting through the offseason, giving the Saints a chance to benefit from his intriguing production right away
Against an offense with Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jameson Williams, Young's availability and production matter. If Young can force Goff to move or release the ball earlier than he wants, the Saints' secondary will have a much better chance of keeping Detroit's weapons in check.
The Saints have won six of their last seven season openers
Week 1 has usually given Saints fans something to celebrate in recent years. New Orleans won six consecutive season openers from 2019 through 2024 before Arizona ended that streak with a 20-13 victory last September, leaving the Saints 6-1 over their last seven openers.
Shough, entering his first season as the Saints' starting quarterback, will have the opportunity to extend that. After helping New Orleans finish last season on a strong footing, he has the chance to give the team another winning start and its first season-opening win under Moore.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: NFL Week 1: 3 reasons for optimism as Saints visit Lions
