Packers: 5 takeaways from Week 7 loss to Saints

Inability to sustain drives cost Packers

Forty-one. That’s the number of plays New Orleans ran in a dominant second-half performance. The Packers, who ran just 21 plays of their own in the final two quarters, couldn’t stay on the field. Dom Capers’ defense couldn’t get off of it.

An inability to sustain drives put the defense under pressure and eventually they got worn down. New Orleans bossed time of possession, holding the football for nearly 37 minutes, 14 more than the Packers. That’s not a formula for success, no matter who you roll out at quarterback.

Green Bay converted just four times on 11 third downs. Two of the failed attempts were on third-and-1. Mike McCarthy must work on fixing this over the bye week. Punting the football after needing just one yard on third down once is bad enough. Twice can turn a game.

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The Packers offense couldn’t find any rhythm in the second half, adding just three more points to their halftime total. Drew Brees was able to do what Drew Brees does, marching his team down the field. The Packers offered little resistance, and the game was far more lopsided than the scoreline suggests. It could have all been different had Green Bay moved the ball more efficiently in the second half.