Paul Sancya / AP

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, left, and running back Kevin Smith sit on the bench during Detroit's loss to New Orleans on Sunday.

“It is inexcusable,” coach Rod Marinelli said.

New Orleans went 97 yards on its next drive, taking a 14-0 lead on Deuce McAllister’s 2-yard run.

Detroit scored its only points on Kevin Smith’s 1-yard run early in the second quarter after the Saints bailed out the Lions with a pass-interference penalty on fourth down.

But Mike Bell and Pierre Thomas ran for TDs in the first half, giving the Saints a 28-7 lead.

The Lions opened the second half with a penalty for breaking the huddle with 12 players. It never got any better.

Brees connected with Marques Colston twice in the third quarter for a 42-7 lead and a single-season franchise record of 29 TDs.

The Saints also set a team record with their 50th TD of the year, finishing the game with 53.

Detroit benched Orlovsky early in the fourth quarter after he completed just 10 of 23 passes for 125 yards and two interceptions.

Drew Stanton entered and was 1-of-3 for 12 yards.

It got so ugly fans mockingly chanted “Jo-ey! Jo-ey!” in the half-empty stadium in reference to New Orleans’ third-string quarterback Joey Harrington, who was the first of many first-round busts Detroit drafted during an eight-season stretch (31-95) that is the NFL’s worst since 1950.

Since the Lions traded Harrington, their No. 3 pick in 2002, they are 10-36 and have won only one of their last 23 games.

“Who would have believed that I was here in the heyday?” Harrington joked. “Things have changed. When I was here, the fans brought “Fire Millen” signs, but still cheered for the team. Now, the ones that do show up bring “Hire Millen” signs and that doesn’t help.

“No one deserves to go through this.”

Notes: The Saints had the best success on third down of any team since 1991, according to STATS. ... Marinelli said Orlovsky will start against Green Bay instead of Daunte Culpepper (shoulder). ... New Orleans TE Jeremy Shockey didn’t play in the second half after injuring his right ankle. ... Lions S Daniel Bullocks and Saints S Josh Bullocks, who are twins, played against each other for the first time.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 9 games STEELERS 28, BRONCOS 10: Roethlisberger throws 3 TDs COWBOYS 20, EAGLES 16: Austin’s TD puts Dallas atop NFC East COLTS 20, TEXANS 17: Indy's 17th-straight regular season win  |    Video SAINTS 30, PANTHERS 20: N.O. now 8-0 for first time in its history CHARGERS 21, GIANTS 20: N.Y. loses 4th straight  |    Video BUCS 38, PACKERS 28: Rookie QB leads Tampa to first win  |    Video PATRIOTS 27, DOLPHINS 17: Brady-Moss connection thrives  |    Video CARDINALS 41, BEARS 21: Warner tosses 5 TDs  |    Video BENGALS 17, RAVENS 7: Cincy cements AFC North status  |    Video FALCONS 31, REDSKINS 17: Atlanta gets into scuffle, still wins TITANS 34, 49ERS 27: Young improves to 2-0 as a starter this year SEAHAWKS 32, LIONS 20: Seattle overcomes 17-0 hole JAGUARS 24, CHIEFS 21: Chargers cast-off Chambers can't save K.C. Byes: Bills, Browns, Raiders, Rams, Vikings, Jets

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