(AP) Drew Brees threw two touchdown passes to Tre'Quan Smith 2:19 apart in the second quarter, helping short-handed New Orleans overcome a 14-point deficit and beat Detroit.
New Orleans (2-2) started the game without six injured starters after a short night of rest. The Saints had a player test falsely positive for the coronavirus Saturday, according to a person familiar with the situation, leading to another round of tests for players and staff overnight in the Motor City.
Early in the game at fan-free Ford Field, the Lions (1-3) looked as though they might take advantage of facing a tired team without three starters on both sides of the ball as they led 14-0 4:37 after kickoff.
New Orleans, though, responded by scoring 35 straight points from late in the first period to midway through the third.
Matthew Stafford ended the Saints' run with a 1-yard TD pass to T.J. Hockenson late in the third quarter. The Lions pulled within six points with 3:36 left in the fourth on Adrian Peterson's 5-yard run and Hockenson's 2-point conversion catch.
The Saints sealed the win with Brees converting a third-and-5 from his 27 with a 19-yard pass to Smith and Alvin Kamara running for 5 yards on third-and-3 from midfield.
Detroit has gotten off to a strong start in every game this season, but only has one victory to show for it.
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