N.O. Saints 44 Green Bay Packers 23: Steamrolled

The Green Bay Packers are ready for the bye.

Before coming into tonight’s game, the Packers were looking forward to a win and a week off.

Well, they took this week off instead, it seemed, as they were literally steamrolled by the Saints offense and defense, losing badly, 44-23.

This was a strange one for the Packers.

They moved the ball prolifically, but couldn’t get in the end zone.

They rolled over on defense, giving up more than 150 yards on the ground to Mark Ingram and allowed Drew Brees to do pretty much anything he wanted.

It appeared that Aaron Rodgers suffered a strained hamstring, but played until it was hopeless.

The good news was Rodgers saying this after the game about the injury:

Rodgers, in uncharacteristic fashion, threw two interceptions – both off tipped balls.

Even Julius Peppers got in the act by playing wide receiver and having the chance to catch a pass for a touchdown, but having it bounce off his chest – it kind of seemed at that point that it wasn’t going to be the Packers’ night.

Playing in a tough environment, the Packers came out flying on their first drive. Aaron Rodgers scrambled right and hit Randall Cobb, who had

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram ran all over the Packers Sunday night. Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports photograph

gotten behind the defense, for 70 yards and a 7-0 lead.

However, the Saints came right back with their own scoring drive to make it 7-7.

But from there the Packers went into a scoring coma. While moving the ball up and down the field in the first half, it was Mason Crosby doing all the scoring.

Three Packers drives ended in Crosby field goals in the first half. Battling to a 16-16 tie at haltime, it was the Saints who came out ready to play in the second half, outscoring the Packers 28-7 over the final 30 minutes.

Though Rodgers ended up throwing for 418 yards tonight, it wasn’t enough to overcome a Saints defense that was relentless in their quarterback pressure, their coverages and ability to hold the Packers out of the end zone and their knack in coming up with tipped balls for turnovers.

But it was the second half apparent hamstring injury to Aaron Rodgers that truly turned the momentum and ultimate final score of this one. Here’s what Mike McCarthy said after the game, describing how Rodgers’ injury affected the play-calling:

Rodgers threw his first interception at the goal line midway through the third quarter that was knocked away from Andrew Quarless and bounced directly to D. Hathorne.

Drew Brees followed that up with a 50-yard touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks.

Rodgers’ second interception came on the second play of the fourth quarter when Davante Adams slowed on his route and had to reach for the ball; he tipped it and it was corralled by C. White.

From that point, New Orleans continued to rip off yardage and scored twice more to turn the game into a route.

Scoring Summary

Team Stat Comparison