Football: New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions

Ever hopeful of a pro football team to be proud of, New Orleans is ready for the opening of the season. So far, the usually hopeless Saints haven't embarrassed themselves in the pre-season games. It's entirely possible they could win in this contest with the not- highly-rated Lions. As ever, the Superdome games are fascinating as much for the characters in the stands as the plays on the fields. New this year are fans wearing giant aluminium whistles in saints colours and symbols.