METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints re-discovered their downfield passing game last week, with receivers Marques Colston and Kenny Stills both gaining more than 100 receiving yards in a 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions.

If that’s a sign of things to come, the Saints’ offense could indeed be ready to start rolling, as quarterback Drew Brees and others have suggested. That was the one missing element earlier this season, as they’ve been very efficient with the shorter passes and run game. Turnovers have obviously been a huge problem, as well, with seven interceptions and five lost fumbles. But the Saints actually lead the NFL in yards per play (6.3).

“That just showed we have a bright, young corps,” said Saints rookie receiver Brandin Cooks, who had a quiet game at Detroit but has quickly emerged as a big part of New Orleans’ offense. “It’s getting close to where they really start having to pick their poison because Kenny went off, Colston went off, and I’ve had a couple of good games. Jimmy [Graham] has done his thing.

“I feel like it’s getting close to us just busting out.”

Although Colston struggled early this season with a fumble, dropped passes and even a rare game where he wasn’t targeted once, there was little doubt that the Saints would continue to rely on him.

Colston once again emerged as Brees’ go-to guy at Detroit -- on a day when Graham was limited by a shoulder injury and the Saints’ run game was limited by Detroit’s stingy defensive front.

Colston caught six passes for 111 yards, his first 100-yard game since Week 1.

“He’s one of the most consistent guys I’ve ever played with, continues to be,” Brees said. “I don’t know his statistics this year, I know he’s coming off a 100-yard game. I know that I’m always looking for him. And so there may be those times where, hey, he’s not getting it as much as he has in the past or on a consistent basis as he has in the past, but it’s by no means an indication of anything.

“I can just tell you right now I look to him as much or more than I always have.”

Stills also had a big game, catching five passes for 103 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown.

The Saints would still like to hit on a few more of those “shot” plays they’ve missed on to Stills, Robert Meachem and others.

Cooks could become a factor in that department, too. Despite his blazing speed, most of his touches have come on shorter routes and run plays so far. But he showed that ability in training camp, and coach Sean Payton said some of it has just been circumstance this year.

“He’s been on some that weren’t thrown that way,” Payton said. “He’s someone that we certainly feel like has deep speed, and we can get the ball too down the field.”