Packers remain unbeaten after defeating the Saints in Prime Time
The Packers are 3-0 after an exciting 37-30 Sunday night win at New Orleans.
The lead went back and forth in this one with each team answering the other with scores of their own. The turning point in this game was on defense as Za’Darius Smith forced a fumble on backup QB Taysom Hill and recovered it for the only turnover of the game. The Saints tried an onside kick late but the Packers let it roll harmlessly out of bounds and were able to celebrate a win with Aaron Rodgers taking a knee.
My thoughts on this game:
This had the feel of a big game right from the start and it didn’t disappoint at all despite both teams missing their top receivers. Drew Brees was trying to bounce back from a disappointing performance in Las Vegas on Monday night while Rodgers was trying to keep his good start to the season going.
The Packers’ first two touchdowns were set up on huge plays to Allen Lazard, who had quite a game himself with 146 total receiving yards, including catches of 48 and 72 yards. The 48-yard catch set up a touchdown pass to Lazard two plays later. The Packers have talent at receiver and perhaps it takes an injury to Davante Adams for everyone to realize that.
Like many of you, I was frustrated at the lack of tackling on Alvin Kamara, especially on that play alone where he scored on a 52-yard catch and run. He’s an awesome player but that was awful defense by the Packers. The extra point tied the game at 27.
On the Packers’ next possession, the Saints got another momentum boost as Aaron Jones got stopped on 4th-and-1 at the GB 48-yard line. The referees initially ruled it a first down but anyone watching the game knew it was going to be overturned. That gave the Saints a huge boost and put the Packer defense in a tight spot in a tie game.
That was when the turning point of the game happened. After a 7-yard gain, the Saints put in Taysom Hill in place of Drew Brees. Hill took the snap and Za’Darius Smith was waiting for him, stuffing him for a 2-yard loss but more importantly, forcing a fumble which he recovered. It’s a great play but I was wondering what Head Coach Sean Payton was thinking. Brees was in a groove and the Packer defense was reeling at the time and Payton took the ball out of his hands. I knew at the time that if the Packers won this game, the press would be all over Sean Payton and that decision.
The Packers settled for only a field goal but the defense came up big once again, forcing a punt. Rodgers got the Packer offense going once again with a 23-yard pass to Jace Sternberger. The drive featured quite a bit of Aaron Jones as well. After some penalties by the Saints which took time off the clock, Rodgers found Robert Tonyan in the endzone right before the 2-minute warning.
The Saints moved down the field and kicked the field goal right away, but the Packers were ready for the onside kick and let it go out of bounds. I know I wasn’t the only one who thought of the Atlanta-Dallas game and how the Falcons didn’t fall on the ball and let the Cowboys recover and drive for the winning field goal. In this game, the Packers didn’t have to recover as it didn’t even roll 10 yards before going out of bounds. It was a cool video too as the ball was spinning out of bounds. Watch the highlights if you haven’t seen it yet.
Aaron Jones is an awesome runner and can catch the ball too, but I’ve seen plays in this game where he did some excellent blocking. That might be just as valuable to the team if not more.
One thing I liked is the tight ends making plays. I talked about Robert Tonyan and Jace Sternberger, but Marcedes Lewis made a great catch for a touchdown as well. The broadcast crew was talking about the catch by Lewis, saying it should have been offensive pass interference. I disagree. If anything, it should have been a penalty on the defender when I watched that play. Then again, I am kind of biased too. I just didn’t see it. By the way, that touchdown pass to Lewis gives Aaron Rodgers 2 career touchdown passes to first-round picks, both of them to Lewis.
This might be the year the tight end is utilized quite a bit in Green Bay. That would be the first time since Jared Cook was in a Packer uniform. Ironically, Cook plays for the Saints now.
It was a tense game that could have gone either way. Fortunately, the Packers made the plays at the right moments, especially that fumble recovery. Despite the lack of crowd noise, I think home-field still means a little bit, although Rodgers got the Saints to jump offsides late in the game. Normally the Superdome would be rocking and Rodgers wouldn’t be able to do that.
A 3-0 record is great but it’s nothing more than just a good start to the season. We aren’t even a quarter of the way there right now. I still think it’s a huge win though. Anytime you can get a win over Drew Brees, that has to count for something. It’s an exciting win and the Packers have a bit more time to prepare for their next game, a Monday night matchup with the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field. What’s going on with Atlanta? I can’t wait to preview that one. Anyway, enjoy the win Packer fans. It’s party time in New Orleans although the Packers are the ones celebrating.
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
