Without Suh, Lions go down to Saints, 31-17

**Admin** Mon Dec 05, 2011 1:31 am

Drew Brees passed for 342 yards and three touchdowns as the New Orleans Saints won their fourth straight, 31-17 over the Detroit Lions. Matthew Stafford passed for 408 yards and one touchdown for the Lions (7-5), who have lost five of their last seven, but remain in playoff contention.

The Lions hurt themselves with 11 penalties for 107 yards, those mistakes made it impossible for the Lions to keep pace with the league’s No. 1 offense, and Detroit missed a chance to take a one-game lead over Chicago and Atlanta in the NFC wild card race.

Stafford completed 31 of 44 passes, but was sacked three times and intercepted by Tracy Porter.

Nate Burleson had five catches for 93 yards, while Calvin Johnson had six catches for 69 yards.