New Orleans has struggled to finish promising drives in the end zone — something that likely needs to change if the Saints (5-6) are to keep up with the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (8-3) in the Superdome on Sunday, Dec. 3. The game will be live streamed on DirecTV Stream (free trial) and fuboTV (free trial and $20 off the first two months).

The Saints’ sizeable investment in Derek Carr is looking more like a liability lately.

Even with their losing record, the Saints are tied for first place in the anemic NFC South with Atlanta (5-6).

Reeling in Carr in free agency was New Orleans’ top priority last offseason. Saints coach Dennis Allen was the Raiders’ coach when that franchise drafted Carr, only to get fired during the QB’s rookie season.

The Saints were hoping Carr — whom the Saints signed to a four-year contract worth up to $150 million — could provide stability that had been lacking at that all-important position since Drew Brees’ retirement after the 2020 season.

Overall, Carr’s numbers have been solid. He has passed for 300-plus yards in five games this season. But his competion rate inside an opponent’s 20-yard line is 44.7%. Meanwhile, the Saints’ red-zone conversion rate — the number of drives inside an opponent’s 20 that resulted in a touchdown — is 42.5% (17 of 40), which ranks fourth-worst in the NFL.

The Lions would rather that not happen this weekend as they try to improve to 9-3 for the first time since 1962. They also want to avoid dropping two straight for the first time this season after losing to Green Bay at home on Thanksgiving Day.

After studying his team’s last loss, Lions coach Dan Campbell came away not all that concerned about Detroit’s effort or overall execution. If not for turnovers, he said, the Lions could have fared a lot better. And that is something that Campbell is confident Detroit can fix.

When is Saints-Lions?

The Lions and Saints play at noon (1 p.m. ET) on Sunday, Dec. 3.

Will it be live streamed?

DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream offers a free trial.

There are four options of DirecTV Stream:

The Entertainment Package, which consists of 65+ channels, is $54.99 until the promotion runs out April 30. It’s the basic package for can’t-miss entertainment – including ESPN, TNT, Nickelodeon and HGTV.

The Choice Package has more than 90 channels and is $74.99 during the promotion. The channels in ENTERTAINMENT, plus MLB Network, NBA TV, college sports networks, and more. Enjoy Regional Sports Networks with no additional fees.

The Ultimate Package has more than 130 channels and is $89.99 during the promotion. Everything in CHOICE, plus Oxygen, Golf Channel, NHL Network, Universal Kids and more.

The Premier Package has more than 140 channels and is $134.99 during the promotion. Everything in ULTIMATE, plus HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax and more.

DirecTV Stream offers a free trial that doesn’t require much effort.

To sign up, enter a phone number, email address and credit card, and you’ll receive five days of the service without charge.

In addition, enhance your experience with the DirecTV Stream device. While it doesn’t include a free trial, it give you access to thousands of apps like Netflix and more on Google Play. You can search using the voice remote with Google Assistant, and you can enjoy a traditional live TV channel guide. It is sold separately.

FuboTV

The game will be live streamed on fuboTV, which offers a free trial. The most basic of plans is the “fubo pro” package, which comprises 146-plus channels for $74.99 per month. Like all cord-cutting alternatives, there are plenty of options, especially for sports. It comes with more than 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR, and up to 10 screens at once.

There is also the “fubo elite” package, which comprises 205-plus channels for $84.99 per month. It comes with fuboExtra (48 more channels) and News Plus (11 more channels). Plus, more than 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR, and up to 10 screens at once.

The “fubo premiere” package is “fubo elite” with the addition of Showtime for $94.99 per month.

Will it be televised?

The Saints and Lions will be broadcast on Fox and is subject to blackouts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.