Packers mount massive comeback to defeat Saints
The Packers gave their fans a lot of anguish and excitement as they rallied from 17-0 down in the 4th quarter to win 18-17 in their home opener vs the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
The Saints scored 2 touchdowns, the first on a TD pass to former Packer Jimmy Graham, and the second on a punt return. They would then add a field goal before halftime to take a 17-0 lead into the locker room. No one would score in the 3rd quarter, but the Packers were just getting started in the 4th. They kicked a FG, then added a TD and a 2-point conversion on a gutsy call. They then scored a TD, kicked the XP, and had an 18-17 lead. The Saints drove down the field for the go-ahead FB, but their 46-yard attempt missed to the right and the Packers knelt down to run out the clock and celebrate a victory in their home opener.
Thoughts about this exciting win:
Rashan Gary made his mark out on the field. He had 3 sacks and 4 hits on the QB. It was quite a welcome sight, especially since is he coming off a major injury.
It was a frustrating way to end the first offensive drive of the game for the Packers. On 4th down, Emanuel Wilson pitched it back to Jordan Love, but the pass was off the mark and Love slipped as he let it go and they turned it over on downs.
That led to a TD by the Saints, a pass from Derek Carr to former Packer Jimmy Graham. That was frustrating enough, but after an exchange of punts and the Packers getting the ball again and doing nothing, they punted and Rashid Sheheed returned it for a TD and a 14-0 lead for the Saints.
Derek Carr would leave the game with a shoulder injury in the 3rd quarter after a sack. Jameis Winston would come in for NO. This wouldn’t be the first time that the Packers saw him as he used to play for Tampa Bay. He made some nice plays but got no points to show for it.
As for Jordan Love, he finished the game with some pedestrian numbers after posting some nice stats the first two games. He finished with a 50% completion percentage, 1 touchdown pass and 1 interception, his first this year.
On their first touchdown drive, they were helped by pass interference penalties by the Saints’ defense. Jordan Love took it in himself on 4th down. He didn’t do a Lambeau Leap because they were going for 2. It is a gamble doing that being down 8 at the time, but I noticed a lot of teams have been doing it these last several years. They got it on a pass to Samori Toure, pulling them to within 6 points. If they stopped the Saints, they could go for the touchdown and an XP would put them ahead.
That is exactly what happened. Some nice receptions by Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks got them right near the goal line. A nice throw to Romeo Doubs tied the game, and the XP put them ahead.
The Saints wouldn’t go away quietly. Their offense came to life and they drove down into FG range, but their 46-yard attempt from the left hashmark went wide right. Maybe the kicker tried to overcompensate for the trajectory, but anyway, he missed and the Packers could kneel down and run out the clock.
That wasn’t the first time they would come back from 17 points down in the 4th quarter at home. Remember the season opener in 2018? Aaron Rodgers suffered what looked to be a devistating injury at the time. He returned in the second half and led them to a memorable comeback. Jordan Love now has one of his own.
This sort of reminded me of Brett Fave vs Cincinnati in 1992. Much of the game was dull and uninspiring, but then they really came to life in the 4th quarter. This game sort of had the same feel for me. It’s not how you start but how you finish.
It was almost a given that this season would have its ups and downs, and we’ve had it already in this young season and especially in this game. They responded to adversity nicely in this game. They had a great 4th quarter after a poor 4th quarter in the previous game at Atlanta.
Defensive Coordinator Joe Berry deserves a lot of credit. He came under a lot of heat entering this game and after a lot of poor games on defense last year. The defense kept the Packers in the game and gave them a chance to win at the end,which they did.
What an awesome moment for the Packers! I knew they had a great chance to win this game, given that it was Jordan Love’s first start as well as the home opener at Lambeau Field. Also, the Saints were traveling after coming off a short week. It wasn’t the way I thought it would play out, but I will still take the victory.
It was an awesome comeback and win, but the Packers don’t have a long time to celebrate it. They have a very short week to prepare for the Detroit Lions, who will be coming into town this Thursday. With the Bears and Vikings both 0-3, the Packers and Lions might be the ones competing for the division title this year.
In the meantime, let us celebrate this win in the short time we have to do so. Enjoy this victory Packer fans! We will be back to cheer for our team to another win before you know it!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackersFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
