Saints Home In on Lions, 13-7 : NFC: New Orleans has possession for more than 40 minutes as Detroit loses for second time in a row at Silverdome.

The Silverdome has suddenly turned into a house of pain for the Detroit Lions.

After winning 11 consecutive games at home, the Lions suffered their second loss in a row there Sunday when they were defeated by the New Orleans Saints, 13-7.

The Saints controlled the ball for 40 minutes 43 seconds and outgained the Lions, 285-187.

“We didn’t turn the ball over, and obviously that was a big factor in our not losing,” Saint Coach Jim Mora said. “In a game like this, one mistake can do you in.”

The key play was a fumbled handoff between Rodney Peete and Barry Sanders, which was recovered by the Saints’ Frank Warren at the Detroit 14-yard line. Four plays later, Vaughn Dunbar scored the Saints’ first rushing touchdown of the season when he dove in from the one. The touchdown gave New Orleans a 10-7 lead with 8:09 to play in the third quarter.

Dunbar gained 70 yards in 22 carries.

The Saints (3-2) had six sacks against Detroit (1-4) in the game between 1991 NFC division champions. That gave the Saints 19 sacks for the season.

“We always talk about needing someone to step up and make a big play,” Detroit Coach Wayne Fontes said. “Last year, that happened. But this year, we aren’t doing it. Someone has to step up in these games.”

Pat Swilling, whom the Lions tried to sign as a free agent during the summer, and Wayne Martin each had two sacks for the Saints.

“Our guys up front did a great job and got pressure on Peete,” Swilling said. “He seemed to move around all right. But our guys didn’t give him the time.”

Morten Andersen kicked field goals of 50 and 20 yards for the Saints. It was his 19th field goal of 50 yards or more, tying him with Kansas City’s Nick Lowery for the NFL lead from that distance.

Detroit’s only score came on a seven-yard pass from Peete to former Saint Brett Perriman with three seconds to play in the first half.

Sanders was held to 36 yards in nine carries.

“They were playing a 4-1 (defense), and you should be able to run against that,” Peete said. “We’ve got the best back in the league, and we can’t spring him.

“All day it was second-and-long, third-and-long. That makes a long day with a front like New Orleans has.”

Hebert completed 15 of 19 passes for 155 yards. Peete completed 15 of 30 for 173 yards.

Peete, who didn’t practice all week because of a sore right ankle, completed seven of 10 passes for 75 yards on the Lions’ only touchdown drive. Perriman caught the ball in the right corner of the end zone in front of Jimmy Spencer, who slipped, giving Detroit a 7-3 halftime lead.

The Lions ran only 10 plays in the third quarter when the Saints came up with three sacks.

In the third quarter the Saints started a 13-play, 58-yard drive that which ended with Andersen’s 20-yard field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter.