Lions vs Saints Prediction & Betting Tips for NFL Week 1 on 9/13/2026

The 2026 NFL regular season kicks off with the New Orleans Saints taking on the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 1:00 PM, this game will be broadcast on FOX. As the first game of the season for both teams, the anticipation is high for what lies ahead.

The Saints, under the guidance of head coach Kellen Moore, look to start strong after a varied preseason performance. They secured a win against the Dallas Cowboys but faced setbacks against the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars. With an intriguing mix of talent on both sides of the ball, they aim to overcome the Lions on the road.

On the other side, the Lions are led by head coach Dan Campbell and are eager to capitalize on their preseason successes, with wins against the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders. Playing at home in the familiar confines of Ford Field provides the Lions an advantage they will look to maximize. The team’s recent form suggests they are ready to challenge the Saints in this opener.

Lions vs Saints At a Glance (Week 1)

• This is the first game of the 2026 NFL regular season, marking Week 1.
• The New Orleans Saints will be facing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, a dome stadium in Detroit, MI.
• The game is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 1:00 PM and will be aired on FOX.
• The Lions have a moneyline of -323, while the Saints have a moneyline of +261.
• The spread for the game is set at Lions -7, with the total points over/under at 50.5.
• Both teams concluded their preseason with the Saints winning their last game 27-24 against the Cowboys, and the Lions winning 25-16 against the Colts.

Lions Roar: Detroit Lions Set to Take the Field at Ford Field

Offensive Outlook

The Detroit Lions demonstrated a high-powered offense last season, scoring an average of 28.3 points per game, ranking them 4th in the league. Their offensive yardage was also impressive, ranking 5th with an average of 373.2 yards per game. The passing game was particularly potent, with 253.1 yards per game, placing them 3rd in the league.

Jared Goff, leading the Lions' offense, had a stellar 2025 season with 4,564 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. His performance was a key factor in the Lions' offensive success. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was also pivotal, with 1,401 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, making him a primary target.

Defensive Strengths and Challenges

The Lions' defense allowed 24.3 points per game, ranking 21st, indicating room for improvement. However, their ability to pressure the quarterback was notable, with 49 sacks, ranking 4th in the league. The secondary was solid, with 13 interceptions, ranking 8th, showcasing their playmaking ability in the defensive backfield.

Linebacker Jack Campbell will be crucial in anchoring the defense, especially with multiple players out due to injuries. The return of key players like D.J. Reed, who is questionable, could bolster the defensive lineup if cleared to play.

Injury Concerns

The Lions face some injury concerns entering this game. Key players like Sam LaPorta, D.J. Reed, and Isiah Pacheco are listed as questionable for Week 1. With several players on injured reserve, including Payton Turner and Kerby Joseph, the Lions will need to rely on their depth to manage these absences.

The depth chart reveals some potential shifts, with Malcolm Rodriguez and Derrick Moore also questionable. The availability of these players could significantly impact both offensive and defensive strategies.

Preseason Performance

In their preseason games, the Lions showed promise, winning two out of three matchups. Their recent victory over the Indianapolis Colts (25-16) showcased their ability to dominate in rushing with 186 yards. This performance indicates a balanced offensive approach that could carry into the regular season.

Running backs Trayveon Williams and Jacob Saylors made significant contributions in the preseason, providing a glimpse of the Lions' ground game potential. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs also showed effectiveness, with 128 passing yards and 2 touchdowns in the game against the Colts.

Betting Trends

• In their last 5 regular-season home games, the Lions hit the over every time.
• As favorites, they've exceeded the over in 6 of their last 7 games.
• For games with totals of 50 or more, they went over in 4 of the last 5 instances.
• Overall, they hit the over in 7 of their last 10 games last season.
• Following a loss, they won 5 of the last 7 games outright.

The Saints March Into the Regular Season: A New Orleans Showdown

Quarterback Situation

The New Orleans Saints have a quarterback lineup featuring Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Zach Wilson. Shough and Rattler played key roles in the preseason games, displaying potential for the upcoming regular season. The Saints' coaching staff will need to decide which quarterback will lead the charge against the Detroit Lions.

Running Back Depth

The Saints' running game will rely heavily on Travis Etienne Jr. and Audric Estimé, with Alvin Kamara sidelined due to a knee injury. Etienne Jr. and Estimé will need to step up to fill the void left by Kamara's absence. Their performance will be crucial for the Saints' offensive success in the early part of the season.

Receiving Corps

Chris Olave stands out as the primary receiving threat for the Saints. His impressive 2025 season, with 100 receptions and 1,163 receiving yards, makes him a focal point in the passing game. Additional support will come from players like Devaughn Vele and Barion Brown, who have the potential to make significant contributions.

Tight Ends and Offensive Line

Juwan Johnson leads the tight end group for New Orleans, looking to build on his 77 receptions from last season. The offensive line, anchored by players like Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz, will play a vital role in protecting the quarterback and creating rushing lanes. The line's ability to hold off the Lions' defensive front could determine the outcome of the game.

Defensive Standouts

The Saints' defense is headlined by Cameron Jordan, though his status is questionable due to a hamstring injury. In his potential absence, the pressure will be on players like Chase Young and Carl Granderson to generate a pass rush. The secondary will also be crucial, with players like Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley tasked with containing the Lions' receivers.

Injury Concerns

New Orleans faces several injury concerns heading into the season opener. Notable absences include Alvin Kamara and David Long Jr., both of whom will miss significant time. The team will need to rely on its depth and adjust its game plan to mitigate the impact of these injuries.

Game Outlook

As the Saints prepare to face the Detroit Lions, they enter as 7.0-point underdogs. The team's performance in key areas such as quarterback play, rushing attack, and defensive stability will be pivotal. The Saints will aim to overcome their underdog status and start the season on a positive note.

Betting Trends

• The Saints have a perfect 6-0 record against the spread in their last six regular-season games in 2025.
• They were 5-0 against the spread as underdogs in their last five regular-season games in 2025.
• New Orleans was 5-0 against the spread in their last five away regular-season games in 2025.
• They were 5-0 against the spread in games with totals of 42 or less in their last five regular-season games in 2025.
• The Saints went 4-0 straight up in games with totals of 42 or less in their last four regular-season games in 2025.

Lions vs Saints Prediction: Lions -7

The Detroit Lions enter this matchup as 7-point favorites against the New Orleans Saints. With a powerful offensive lineup that ranked 4th in scoring during the 2025 season, the Lions are well-positioned to cover the spread. Playing at home at Ford Field, Detroit has shown strong performance in high-scoring games, especially when favored.

The New Orleans Saints, under new head coach Kellen Moore, are still finding their footing with an offense that ranked 25th in scoring last season. While their defense was respectable, ranking 16th in points allowed, they may struggle against the Lions' high-powered attack. This mismatch in offensive capabilities favors Detroit to cover the 7-point spread.

The Lions have a successful track record at home and as favorites, with recent trends showing a 6-1 record on the over in games they were favored in 2025. Given the indoor conditions at Ford Field, Detroit's offense should have no trouble executing their game plan. This environment gives the Lions a significant edge to win convincingly.

With Detroit's offensive prowess and home-field advantage, they are likely to dominate the Saints in their season opener. Expect the Lions to win by more than a touchdown, covering the 7-point spread comfortably.

• Lions vs Saints Prediction: Lions -7
• Lions vs Saints Score: Lions 35 - Saints 24

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