NEW ORLEANS — After losing the first three home playoff games in franchise history, the Saints have won five consecutive games in the noisy confines of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The Saints, who won all eight of their home games in the regular season for the first time in the 45-year history of the organization, extended the streak with a 45-28 victory Saturday night over the Detroit Lions in an NFC wild-card playoff game — pushing Sean Payton’s record to 4-0 in the building.
After losing wild-card games in 1987, ’91 and ’92 under former coach Jim Mora, the Saints finally broke through in 2000 under Jim Haslett and beat the St. Louis Rams in a wild-card game.
Payton won one playoff game at home in 2006 and two in ’09.
RARE MISTAKES: Saints wide receiver Marques Colston lost the football when he was stripped by Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch after making a catch on the first possession of the game, a rarity this season.
The miscue, which was costly because it ended a promising drive, came less than a week after the Saints set an NFL record for fewest fumbles in a season — six — in 16 games.
Brees also fumbled in the second quarter when he had the ball knocked loose by Lions defensive end Willie Young as he tried to throw. Linebacker Justin Durant recovered both fumbles for Detroit.
INACTIVES: The Saints’ inactives were wide receiver Lance Moore (hamstring), linebacker Jonathan Casillas (knee), tight ends John Gilmore (toe) and Tory Humphrey, guard Eric Olsen, defensive end Turk McBride, and cornerback Leigh Torrence.
Inactives of note for the Lions were safety Chris Harris (back), guard Leonard Davis and running back Joique Bell, who was a member of the Saints practice squad before being signed by the Lions on Dec. 27.
DRAWING A BLANK: When the Saints were shut out in the first period Saturday night, it marked only the sixth time this season they failed to score in a quarter.
In the regular season, they scored in 59 of a possible 64 quarters.
TIGER TUNE-UP: LSU’s Golden Band from Tigerland warmed up for Monday night’s BCS National Championship Game against Alabama by providing the pregame and halftime entertainment Saturday night.
When the band assembled in the South end zone about 25 minutes before kickoff, the chant “L-S-U, L-S-U, L-S-U” went up around the stadium.
TIGERS IN THE HOUSE: Speaking of the BCS championship game, three former LSU players who won titles were on the field Saturday night where the victories came.
Lions guard Stephen Peterman and Saints wide receiver Devery Henderson were on the 2003 team that beat Oklahoma 21-14, while Lions running back Keiland Williams helped defeat Ohio State, 38-24, in 2007.
THE PAYOFF: Because they won the NFC South title and had to play in the wild-card round, each member of the Saints earned $22,000 Saturday night.
As a true wild-card, the Lions each received a check for $20,000.
LAGNIAPPE: Counting the postseason, Brees has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 48 consecutive games in a streak that began in an Oct. 18, 2009 game with the New York Giants. … Saints rookie linebacker Martez Wilson, a third-round draft pick who started just one game during the regular season, was on the field for the first snap in place of Jo-Lonn Dunbar on the strong side. … Lions assistant special teams coach Bradford Banta, who played 11 NFL seasons as a tight end and long snapper, is a Baton Rouge native and former University High star.