Lions rookie class excels early, and Saints suffer for it

The Lions are demolishing the Saints, and Detroit’s rookie class — Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch, and Sam LaPorta — has been a major part of that equation.

Dennis Allen’s New Orleans Saints defense has been one of the best in the league in certain aspects, but defending the run hasn’t been a strength. Coming into their Week 13 matchup against the Detroit Lions, the Saints ranked 22nd in Run Defense DVOA, and they’ve been too vulnerable to second-level yards from opposing running backs.

The Lions were all over this on their first and second offensive drives — especially the first, which featured this 36-yard run by rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, which was blocked up about as well as you’d like.

That drive ended with a David Montgomery two-yard touchdown run. The Saints didn’t have the ball very long, as Derek Carr threw this interception to rookie defensive back Brian Branch off a mishandled pass attempt.

On Detroit’s subsequent drive, Jared Goff threw this 13-yard touchdown to rookie tight end Sam LaPorta.

The 8-3 Lions have benefitted all season long from their rookie class, and never more so than at the start of this game with a 21-0 lead halfway through the first quarter.