Detroit Lions 9-3 After New Orleans Nail-Biter: Takeaways

Talk about a Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans nail-biter. Sure, the Detroit Lions were favored to win Sunday's (Dec. 3) game against the New Orleans Saints, but you never know what's going to happen in the NFL. After a stressful game that saw me screaming at the TV and jumping up and down (thank goodness nobody was filming), the Detroit Lions pulled out victorious. The team is now 9-3.

This game started out better than ever for the Lions. The team was 21-0 in the first quarter. But, the Saints fought back, coming on strong in the second half. It was a bit messy, but the Lions found a way to stop that Saints comeback for the 33-28 win. With six minutes left on the clock, the Saints got the ball back and looked like they were poised to lead. But, Jameis Winston was unable to pull off a touchdown, so the Saints were forced to punt.

With three minutes left, Detroit was able to run the clock down and snag the victory. Still, the Saints outscored the Lions 21-9 in the second half, so that's troubling. But, hey, a win is a win. I'm so proud of these guys and hope this silences some of the naysayers who came out of the woodwork after Thanksgiving's Green Bay Packers loss.

May we talk about Sam LaPorta? Wow. He's become Jared Goff's go-to guy. I mean, not to take away from the incredible performances from Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown, but it's great to see LaPorta stepping it up at this point in the season. Want more football talk? Check out the latest episode of my podcast, "The Squad with Anne Erickson," below. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Listen for a fresh episode on Monday. What can I say? It's never a dull day to be a Detroit Lions fan. Go Lions.

Dan Campbell is a likeable dude. He is also always saying something that make you either feel good or go, "Heh? What the heck?" I mean that in the best possible way.

I've put together a list of 10 totally hilarious things Dan Campbell has said during his few years with the Detroit Lions so far. Some of these have me scratching my head, while others just have me rolling in laughter. Dan, we love you! I hope for more great quotes this season.

Listen to the latest episode of "The Squad with Anne Erickson" below for some hot takes on the NFL Draft and what it means to the Detroit Lions. Reach out to me and give me your take on the Detroit Lions on social media here. Go Lions!

This quote he said back before the Lions' open practice at Ford field in 2022. "We are fricking starving … so the hyenas better get out of the way." Via Dave Birkett.

Dan Campbell wanted a "pet lion" at practice. OMgosh.

Appearing on the "Pardon My Take" Podcast, Campbell said he asked for a pet lion at practice.

"I'll tell you what I would really love to do, just in general," he said. "I've talked to (Lions owner) Sheila (Ford Hamp) about this. I don't think we're going to be able to do it, but I would love to literally just have a pet lion. Just a legit pet lion on a chain — a big-a** chain. And he just, he really is my pet. We just walk around the building, we go out to practice, we're in 7-on-7, we're behind the kicker when he's kicking. We're just … there we are."

I'm all for a good analogy. But this one is a bit much for me. But, hey, I'm not a football player. Talk the talk, and walk the walk, right? Here's Dan Campbell's toilet paper pep talk. The quote is from July 2, 2021, talking about practice in a press conference via Michael Silver.

"I told them, honestly, Day 1, I said, 'Look, I'm not carrying your toilet paper around. I'm not gonna wipe your butt. You're gonna wipe your own butt. You handle it and I'll treat you like men until you prove otherwise."

Who doesn't remember the praying mantis comment? Dan Campbell said regarding Josh Reynolds, "He’s slippery man. I call him the praying mantis. He’s the spider of death. There’s something about him. Fricking serpent." This is via Dave Birkett.

I don't get this quote at all. But, hey, it's working, so keep these quotes coming, Dan!

"We'll tread water as long as it takes to f***ing bury you." This was said in August 2022 via Tyler Dunne.

Here's another one I don't get. It's from "Hard Knocks" in 2022. "It doesn't matter if you have one a**-cheek and three toes, I will beat your a**." Okay.

"I swear to God, I'm not a lunatic." This was another quote from "Hard Knocks." Dan, honestly, anyone who is going to head up the Detroit Lions and shoot for the Super Bowl has got to be a lunatic- the best kind. It's okay. Embrace it.

Here's another quote from "Hard Knocks." Campbell says, "There is no light at the end of the tunnel. There is no light. There's a song Metallica has, 'No Leaf Clover,' and it says, 'Man, when it comes to the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, it's just a freight train coming your way.'" I'm not crying, you are.

"You grade them off the tape, you don’t grade off somebody out here in pajamas," via The Sporting News. This is in regards to not liking the often misleading evaluations from the Scouting Combine.

This one wasn't just a quote, but imagry, too. It went viral last year. It's the moment that Dan Campbell went on "Hard Knocks" and shook out a pair of pants. "This last bit of losing has got to get outta here." Via the NFL.