The question on all Packer fans minds today is... What went wrong in New Orleans ?
Simple answer..... The Packers were simply outplayed o both sides of the ball, and the highly touted new Packer defense that we heard so much about all during the pre-season, came up short for the second straight week.
The Saints took control of the game right from the opening kick. Michael Lewis returned it 35 yards. On second down, Brooks passed to Joe Horn, who burned Mike McKenzie and gained 40 yards, giving New Orleans a first down at the 28. Three plays later on third and nine, Horn struck again to gain 10 yards for first down. Following that, the Saints three plays later wwre faced with third and 8, Brooks scrambld down field for 12 yards, setting up a first and goal at the six. On third and goal, Mcgallister burst threw the middle for the touchdown. Carney added the p.a.t. and it was 7-0. That would be the only scoring in the opening quarter. One other play of note from the quarter, occurred on the Packers drive after the touchdown. After having picked up two consecutive first downs, Favre threw his first interception of the season, on a third and 8 play.
The Packers would put their first points of the day onto the board early in the second quarter. The drive carried over from the late first quarter. On the first play of the new quarter, Green carried for a gain of 12, getting down to the 18. The drive stalled from there, and Longwell came on and kicked a 27 yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 10:30 left. The Saints would get their next score, courtesy of a fumble by Ahmann Green. Sedrick Hodge recovered it at the 21. On first down, Brooks hit Horn for a gain of 17, down to the 4. On third and goal, Brooks rolled to his right, and hit Jerome Pathon for the score. Carney adde the p.a.t. and the Saints took a 14-3 lead. The Packers offense continued to struggle, and later in the quarter, a huge error by the Packers cost them another score. Favre was sacked for a 9 yard loss on third down, forcing the Packers to punt. The punt was returned by Lewis to mid-field. A few plays later, the Packer's defense tried a blitz, Brooks eluded the attack, and threw to Stalworth down the sidelines who made the catch for a 35 yard touchdown. Carney added the point after, and with just over two minutes remaining in the half, the Saints extended the lead to 21-3. The Packers defense came through with a BIG play before half, which enabled Favre and the offense one quick chance to draw closer. Darren Sharper.... stepped in front of a pass that Brooks intended for Horn. Sharper's timing was perfect as he picked it off and returned it 45 yards down to the 14. On first down, Favre threw to the endzone, and Terry Glenn leaped for it and made the catch. Longwell added the p.a.t. and it was now only a 21-10 deficit at the half.
The Saints came storming back strong to open the third quarter and once again extend the lead. The Packers had the ball to open the half. Favre passed to Glenn for a five yard gain on third and 7, but on contact, he fumbled the ball, Gayle Craver recovered it and ran it in untouched. Following the extra point, the Saints no led 28-10. The Saints had a chance to put the game away later in the quarter, as McCalsiter scored a 50 yard touchdown, but it was called back due to holding,then a 39 yard field goal attemt was no good. On the Packers next drive, Favre threw to Green and Henderson for gains of 18 and 13 yards for first downs. Later, Green picked up a blitz and threw a perfect block, allowing Favre to scramble and throw down the sidelines to Donald Driver for a 26 yard touchdown. Longwell added the p.a.t. and the quarter closed with the Packers still breathing signs of a come back victory trailing 28-17.
In the fourth quarter,the Packers held on dear life,a nd held the Saints scoreless. Unfortunatly, all the Pack could produce was a Ryan Longwell field goal of 36 yards to make it 28-20 with just under five minutes remaining.The drive also ate up alot of valuable time as it took over six minutes. The Saints chalked up a home victory over the Packers soon after that. McAllister broke loose and gained 62 yards on a single play, giving the Saints a first and goal at the 5. Two plays later from the 3, McAllister ran it in, to make the FINAL SCORE
New Orleans 35
Green Bay 20
Packers now 1-1
Up Next: At Detroit( home opener of new stadium Ford Field)
Sunday 3:15p
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