Detroit Lions defeat New Orleans Saints 31-30: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Sun, Sep 13, 2026 · NFL · New Orleans Saints 30, Detroit Lions 31
Detroit Lions 31, New Orleans Saints 30. The Saints covered the spread as a 7-point underdog despite the loss, and the game cleared the 49.5 total by 11.5 points.
New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions final score and game recap
The Lions led 7-0 after the first quarter and held that margin into halftime. New Orleans scored 14 unanswered points in the third to take a 14-7 lead, but Detroit answered with 14 of its own, reclaiming a 21-14 advantage. The fourth quarter ended with the teams tied 24-24 before Detroit prevailed in overtime.
Who covered the spread in New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions?
New Orleans covered as a 7-point underdog. Detroit won by 1, meaning the Saints beat the closing line of Detroit -7. The spread never moved from open to close. AiQ's pick on Detroit -7 at 59% confidence was graded a loss.
Did New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions go over or under the total?
The game went over 49.5, finishing at 61 points—11.5 points over the total. The total opened at 50 and drifted down half a point to 49.5. AiQ's under pick at 49.5 with 58% confidence lost.
How did AiQ's New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions predictions do?
AiQ finished 7-8 across every graded pick.
- Moneyline: Detroit Lions -330 – WIN (+$30.30 on a $100 bet)
- Spread: Detroit Lions -7 – LOSS
- Total: Under 49.5 – LOSS
- Player props: 6-6 – net –$76.73 on $100 per pick at listed prices
The model nailed the moneyline but missed both the spread and the total. The player-prop record was split evenly with no systematic bias.
New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions player prop results
AiQ's player-prop record was 6-6, netting –$76.73.
- Jameson Williams (over 3.5 receptions) +110 – actual 4 – WIN
- Juwan Johnson (under 2.5 receptions) -145 – actual 3 – LOSS
- Jared Goff (over 0.5 passing touchdowns) -185 – actual 2 – WIN
- Tyler Shough (under 0.5 passing touchdowns) +120 – actual 3 – LOSS
- Sam LaPorta (over 4.5 receptions) -130 – actual 5 – WIN
- Tyler Shough (over 3.5 rushing attempts) +130 – actual 4 – WIN
- Travis Etienne Jr. (under 2.5 receptions) -155 – actual 7 – LOSS
- Isaac TeSlaa (under 0.5 receptions) -120 – actual 0 – WIN
- Chris Olave (under 6.5 receptions) -115 – actual 10 – LOSS
- Jahmyr Gibbs (under 4.5 receptions) -105 – actual 5 – LOSS
- Travis Etienne Jr. (under 10.5 rushing attempts) -145 – actual 9 – WIN
- Devaughn Vele (under 4.5 receptions) +125 – actual 7 – LOSS
New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions odds: sportsbook value and line movement
The closing moneyline was New Orleans +268 and Detroit -330, implying a 26% win probability for the Saints and 74% for the Lions after vig removal. The bookmaker's margin sat at 3.9%. AiQ's pre-game expected value calculation placed the Lions at -4.4% at -340, a negative-EV price. The spread stayed at Detroit -7 throughout, and the total slipped half a point from 50 to 49.5.
New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions betting trends: 2026 season
The Saints are 0-1 overall, 0-1 on the road, and 1-0 against the spread in their one game with a recorded closing spread. They hit the over in their only total-available contest. The Lions are 1-0 overall, 1-0 at home, and 0-1 against the spread in their one spread-recorded game. They also hit the over in their lone total-available matchup. Both records are based on a single game.
What's next for New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions?
The Saints travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens on Sunday, September 20. The Lions head to Buffalo for a Thursday night matchup on September 17.