Packers: Aaron Rodgers has mixed record vs. Saints
Somewhat surprisingly, with Aaron Rodgers starting under center, the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints have only met five times, including zero games in the playoffs.
Rodgers has had some success against the Saints. Green Bay has a 3-2 record against New Orleans with Rodgers as the starting quarterback.
Let’s look back at all six meetings between the two teams since 2008, when Rodgers took over from Brett Favre as QB1.
2008: Saints won 51-29
For the first half of this game, Rodgers played well to keep the Packers in it despite no help from the defense.
Green Bay was down 24-21 at the half, with Rodgers throwing one touchdown pass and running in for another.
But the wheels fell off in the second half. The Saints began the third quarter with a touchdown to open up a 10-point lead, before Rodgers was intercepted on consecutive drives. He needed to make a tackle on the first to barely prevent a pick-six. Rodgers threw a third interception late in the fourth quarter on a desperate throw into the end zone on fourth-and-16.
Rodgers finished the day with 248 yards, two touchdowns, and three picks, as well as a rushing touchdown. But the story of the game was the defense’s struggles. They allowed 51 points, four passing touchdowns, and three rushing scores.
2011: Packers won 42-34
Three years on, and Rodgers’ Packers were opening the 2011 season as defending Super Bowl champions. And an entertaining game followed at Lambeau Field.
Rodgers was outstanding with 312 yards and three touchdowns, the first performance in what would be an MVP season. On debut, rookie Randall Cobb caught a touchdown and also returned a kickoff for a 108-yard score.
Green Bay’s defense struggled for the most part, but held firm in the end to close out a thrilling victory.
2012: Packers won 28-27
Another close game at Lambeau.
Rodgers finished the day with 319 yards and four touchdowns with one interception, connecting with James Jones for two scores. He briefly left the game after being poked in the eye, and it proved to be costly. Graham Harrell came in for a play and fumbled the snap down near the Saints’ goal line.
In the end, the Packers held on and Rodgers had a great performance.
2014: Saints won 44-23
Similar to the previous loss at the Superdome, this started as a battle of two great offenses.
The two teams traded touchdowns and field goals to enter halftime tied at 16-16, the game delicately poised.
In the third quarter, Rodgers pulled his hamstring on a scramble but was able to stay in the game. While it was clear his mobility was impacted, Rodgers hit Andrew Quarless in the end zone on third-and-goal, only for the pass to be deflected in the air and intercepted.
That’s when it all fell apart. The Packers turned it over on downs on their next possession, before Rodgers had another pass tipped and picked. The defense couldn’t hold up and the Saints cruised to a blowout victory.
2017: Saints won 26-17
Rodgers didn’t play in this game due to a broken collarbone. Brett Hundley filled in, and it started well for the Packers.
Aaron Jones opened the scoring with a 46-yard rushing TD, before Hundley ran in for one himself to put the Packers up 14-7. But that was as good as it got. Hundley finished with just 87 yards passing and an interception.
2020: Packers won 37-30
We were treated to a classic in the Superdome last season.
A heavyweight battle between two great offenses and future Hall-of-Fame QBs, Rodgers came out on top with 283 yards and three touchdowns. Za’Darius Smith forced a fumble on former Packer Taysom Hill, a play that swung the game.
The Packers won a great game in what ended up being the NFC’s top two seeds.