1. Safety Rafael Bush, a former Saint, is having success with the Lions this season. Bush has two interceptions, one returned 39 yards for a touchdown, and 42 tackles for Detroit in 11 games, with two starts. The previous two seasons combined, he played 11 games for the Saints due to injury. “He’s playing well,” Payton said. “I loved him as a player here. He’s one of those guys that’s smart, tough, he’s a great teammate. He’s had production on the ball, he’s around the ball. I think he’s doing very well.”
2. The Saints continue to get high-level production at running back from Mark Ingram (136 carries for 721 yards and three touchdowns, and 30 catches for 248 yards and four touchdowns) and Tim Hightower (103 carries for 417 yards and a touchdown, 16 catches for 166 yards and a score), and often don’t lose much when one replaces the other on the field.