The New Orleans Saints put up a valiant effort against the Detroit Lions, coming back from a 21-0 deficit to force overtime before losing 31-30 in the season opener.
The Voice of the Saints, Mike Hoss, pinpointed a key area that doomed the Saints' chances.
"The inability to stop the run," Hoss told WWL's Tommy Tucker. "When Detroit needed it most, they (were) unstoppable."
The Saints play-by-play announcer cited Lions' running back Jahmyr Gibbs's stat line as proof of this: 156 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries.
Hoss also noted that the Saints' run game was subpar, forcing the offense to rely too heavily on sophomore quarterback Tyler Shough.
"If Shough has 56 pass attempts, you've got problems," Hoss said. "(It was) not a great running game."
However, Hoss noted that the run game improved in the second half and contributed to the Saints' comeback.
"You had the Kendre Miller eight-yard touchdown and Travis Etienne with an 18-yard (gain)."
Hoss says the Saints' adjustments in the second half give him hope for a better performance--and possibly an upset win by the Saints--this coming Sunday against Baltimore.
"I saw enough yesterday of the good that I do (like the Saints against the Ravens). Baltimore won yesterday, so it'll be a very tough game, but I like them."
