The New Orleans Saints offense failed to get on track in the first half Sunday as the Detroit Lions led 13-6 at the break Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was sharp in the opening half, at point hitting on 16 of 17 passes. He finished the half 19 for 23 with 175 yards and one touchdown. The Lions scored on a 1-yard pass from Stafford to Theo Reddick which capped a 92-yard drive. They scored earlier in the game on 27-yard Matt Prater field goa l and tacked on a 29-yard field goal with 56 seconds left in the half.

The Saints' troubles started on their opening possession when on third-and-1 quarterback Drew Brees mishandled the shotgun snap. He recovered the ball but was called for intentional grounding when he threw the ball away. The Saints mounted a scoring drive late that ended with a 40-yard Wil Lutz field goal and ended the half with a 32-yard field goal by Lutz.

The Saints finished the half with just 137 yards of offense and had the ball for just 11:28. They were 2 of 6 on third down.

Saints tight end Josh Hill left the game in the first half.

Saints stat leaders

Drew Brees, 10 of 15 for 94 yards

Mark Ingram, four carries for 31 yards

Ingram, three catches for 12 yards

Lions stat leaders

Matthew Stafford, 19 of 23 for 175 yards and one TD

Dwayne Washington, six carries for 21 yards

Golden Tate, four catches for 50 yards