Drew Brees threw two touchdown passes to Tre'Quan Smith, Latavius Murray scored two rushing touchdowns and the New Orleans Saints held off the host Detroit Lions 35-29 on Sunday.

Brees passed for 246 yards while completing 19 of 25 attempts for the Saints (2-2). Alvin Kamara rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown and Murray gained 64 rushing yards.

Emmanuel Sanders caught six passes for 93 yards, while Smith hauled in four passes for 54 yards.

Matthew Stafford threw three touchdown passes for Detroit (1-3). The Lions were held to 90 rushing yards, with Adrian Peterson leading the way with 36 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

The Saints played without six usual starters due to injuries, including both cornerbacks and star receiver Michael Thomas.

After falling behind by double digits in the early going, New Orleans scored 28 unanswered points to gain a 28-14 halftime advantage.

The Lions scored on their first drive as Stafford hit rookie running back D'Andre Swift with a 7-yard pass. That score was set up by Danny Amendola's 50-yard reception.

Darryl Roberts picked off Brees' first pass attempt, leading to Stafford's 15-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Golladay.

New Orleans responded with a 75-yard drive, capped by Murray's 3-yard run. Kamara scored from a yard away early in the second quarter to finish off an 80-yard drive, allowing the Saints to tie it at 14-14.

Smith's 2-yard touchdown reception from Brees with 3:03 left in the half put New Orleans on top. That combination clicked again with 44 seconds left in the half, this time from 20 yards out.

Murray's second score, a 6-yard power run, gave the Saints a 35-14 lead with 8:52 remaining in the third quarter.

The Lions finally answered with Stafford's 1-yard pass to T.J. Hockenson later in the quarter.

Peterson's 5-yard scoring run and Hockenson's 2-point conversion catch made it 35-29 with 3:40 remaining.

The Lions never got the ball back, as New Orleans was able to run out the clock.

--Field Level Media