The Green Bay Packers were stoned in New Orleans 35-20, in a game that made them look like a completely
average team. The Packers need to shed the reputation of a team that can’t win in a dome. What’s most concerning is
the fact that the Packers looked soft for the second week in a row. There were missed tackles and had blown
assignments, which resulted in the Saints scoring 35 points. The offense turned the ball over four times, which is
unacceptable. The Packers are just two blown plays away from being 0-2.
The Saints marched right down the field in their first series, racking up 68 yards in 11 plays. That drive ended in a
4-yard pass from Aaron Brooks to Deuce McAllister to make it 7-0. The Packer defense stopped the run on this drive,
but the Saints were able to convert crucial 3rd downs that kept the drive alive. On the second play of the drive Brooks
hit Joe Horn on a curl, and the gifted receiver gashed the Packers for 40 yards.
After the Packers struggled early on offense, they finally sustained a 15-play drive that eventually ended in a Ryan
Longwell field goal. The Packers looked good on the drive, getting contributions from several players. Robert Ferguson
chipped in with a 12-yard catch, and Rondell Mealey caught a 9-yard swing pass. Ahman Green was running hard, and
picked up runs big chunks of ground. The drive stalled when Brett Favre threw a slant to rookie Javon Walker, who got
a real taste of the NFL from the Saints Sammy Knight.
After the Packer defense held the Saints, Green fumbled on the first play of the series, giving the Saints the ball on the
Packers 21-yard line. The Saints capitalized with 21-yard drive for a touchdown to make it 14-3. Because it was only
the second quarter, Green’s fumble wasn’t a backbreaker, but it put the Packers in a huge hole.
After Favre was sacked on third down, the Saints took over at their own 48. On second and 10, the Saints made the
Packers pay for blitzing, throwing a screen to Donte’ Stallworth. The play was set up perfectly, with Antuan Edwards
getting crushed, and Stallworth going nearly untouched for the score.
With the Packers down 21-3, the Saints were determined not to sit on the ball. With the Saints driving into field goal
range, Brooks threw an ill-advised pass that was picked off by Darren Sharper and returned 44 yards to the 14-yard
line. This was the break the Packers needed, as Favre capitalized on the first play, hitting Terry Glenn in the corner of
the end zone for the touchdown. Glenn was doubled on the play, but Favre put the ball up high, and he came up with a
fingertip catch.
The Packers should have booked an early flight home. Facing a 3rd and 7 on their first drive of the second half, Favre
found Terry Glenn in the flat. Glenn was hit before he was able to tuck it away, and Keyuo Craver returned his fumble
38 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-10.
After the Saints missed a field goal, the Packers went to work with their backs against the wall. They responded with
a quick drive of six plays that covered 71 yards. Green picked up a blitzing Walker, and Favre found Donald Driver
alone for a 26-yard score.
Staring at a 28-17 deficit, the Packers defense held the Saints to force a punt. Then the offense went 61 yards before
they stalled again, settling for a field goal to make it 28-20.
Although the Packer defense stopped the run most of the game, their hearts were ripped out on McAllister’s 62-yard
scamper, which put the game away for good.
Forget the loss, the Packers need to make some serious adjustments. They lost Mark Tauscher for 8 weeks, and
Ahman Green was also hobbled. But the offense is not the problem, the defense is. In the off-season the Packers looked
like they got better on defense, but Hardy Nickerson and Joe Johnson have yet to make an impact. Matt Bowen needs
to move into the starting line-up.
Will the Packer defense be able to fix their problems? We’ll find out next week in Detroit.
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