On his conference call with the Detroit media Wednesday, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton clicked off “eight asterisks” on the paper in front of him.

Those would be the direct ties between the Saints and the Detroit Lions, including Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and running backs Reggie Bush, Joique Bell and Jed Collins and all the way to position coaches.

Will that help either team Sunday? Tough to say, but Lions reporter Michael Rothstein and Saints reporter Mike Triplett will tell you all you need to know for this week’s matchup.

Rothstein: Let's start with Drew Brees. Without Lombardi, he has his lowest passer rating and QBR in a few seasons. Is Lombardi part of the reason for that, or is it something else with the veteran quarterback?

Triplett: Brees’ performance has been under the microscope around here, as you might imagine with the Saints off to a 2-3 start. Especially since he just had his worst performance of the season before the bye with three interceptions against Tampa Bay (two of them trying to force the ball while being hit). But even on that “bad” day, Brees threw for 371 yards and two touchdowns and led the team back from an 11-point deficit to win 37-31 in overtime.

Overall, I still think Brees has been really sharp. He was leading all full-time starters in completion percentage through four weeks. He’s just been “taking what the defense gives him” and settling for shorter throws to tight end Jimmy Graham, rookie receiver Brandin Cooks and the running backs. If Graham can’t play with a shoulder injury, the Saints will have to rediscover their downfield passing game.

As for Lombardi, it’s hard to say Brees misses him since he still has Payton and longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. around. But I do think Lombardi is really sharp and I was glad to see him get his shot there. What has he brought to the offense -- and how will he adjust if Calvin Johnson can’t play?

Rothstein: It's been interesting because the offense has been quite mediocre this season after years of being one of the best units in the league under Scott Linehan. Part of that goes to protection, as Matthew Stafford has been pummeled (21 sacks and counting through six games). But the run game has stalled and Stafford still appears to be gaining comfort in the offense. The offense has been the big question around here, but only this week has Lombardi's play calling really come into question. Head coach Jim Caldwell was asked about it and supported Lombardi.

The play calling hasn't really been the issue. It has been the protection and Stafford. I thought he adjusted well with Johnson either hobbled or out. Golden Tate has been dynamic in this offense, taking those short and intermediate routes and busting them for big gains. He's sixth in the league in yards (495) and fourth in yards after catch with 257 -- and the highest-rated receiver on the team. He, not Johnson, has been the player to really move the ball for Detroit so far this season.

If Johnson doesn't play, screen passes will once again play a role, as will getting the ball to Tate in space. But, unlike last week against Minnesota, the Lions are going to have to put up points to win this game. That goes into my next question. The Saints haven't seemed to generate much pass rush. Is that because of injuries in the secondary or overall skill?

Triplett: The Saints' missing pass rush has probably been the biggest surprise this season. They have real bona fide talent up front that just hasn't been producing the way it did last year (Pro Bowl end Cameron Jordan, outside linebacker Junior Galette and end Akiem Hicks). Maybe offenses have been game-planning especially for them (quicker throws, double teams, etc.) But the Saints know they have to simply produce better, and this is the strength of their defense that they're really going to count on to turn their season around. It sounds as if the Lions might provide them an opportunity to get something started, but, if Detroit's been watching film, it'll know those quick throws to Tate and the screen game could be effective against a Saints secondary that hasn't tackled well in the open field.

How big of a weapon has Bush been in that regard? This will be the first time the Saints have faced him since they traded him in 2011.

Rothstein: Bush has been useful for the Lions, but I'd argue he was more effective last season, when he was a 1,000-yard rusher, than he has been this year. Part of that has to do with a fairly anemic Detroit run game, but he also has his lowest yards per reception since 2011 (7.1). Bush is still an effective player and has not lost much of his speed, but Linehan used him differently than Lombardi has. If Detroit is able to fix its run issues, he should still be extremely effective, and he has been helpful for the Lions, but he hasn't been as much of a game-changer this season as he was last season.

The Lions have talked a lot about Brees' ability to avoid sacks. How does he manage to do that?

Triplett: Normally I would say it’s because Brees dissects the field so well and makes smart, quick decisions. But, as I said, that wasn’t the case with two of his interceptions in the last game when taking the sack would have been the smarter choice.

In general, though, Brees has always been good about stepping up into the pocket (either the cause or the effect of the Saints investing heavily in Pro Bowl guards over the years). And he does make smart, quick decisions. His favorite receiver is always the “open man” instead of getting locked into targets. And even though he throws for 5,000-plus yards every season, he also has set the NFL record for completion percentage twice. This is still a West Coast-style offense at its heart.

It sounds as if he won’t have it easy against this Lions defense, though. I was pretty stunned to see the numbers so far this year. Where did this performance come from?

Rothstein: It starts with the front four, which has three first-round picks up front, led by Ndamukong Suh. The havoc it can provide allows the secondary and linebackers to play a bit freer. The Lions have an emerging star who is strong in coverage in DeAndre Levy at linebacker. The secondary has been the surprise, but coordinator Teryl Austin has done a great job playing each guy to his own strengths, including multiple nickel packages. He has really refined these guys into an impressive group.