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Saints vs. Packers Final Score: New Orleans beats Green Bay 44-23 led by Mark Ingram's 172 rushing yards

The Saints improve to 3-4 in their most impressive performance of the season after defeating the Packers 44-23.

Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints continued their success at home with a dominating 44-23 victory against the Packers on Sunday night.

The Saints defense contained the Packers for the most part and made big plays when they needed to. Despite gaining 491 yards, the Packers were limited to field goals for the most part and turned the ball over twice in crucial moments.

The Saints offense was firing on all cylinders for much of the night. The offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage, and Mark Ingram took care of the rest with a career night. He had 24 carries for 172 yards and a touchdown in just his second game back from a hand injury. Ingram continually ran through Green Bay defenders all night and looked like a man on a mission when he had the ball in his hands.

Drew Brees had his best game of the year as well. He completed 27 of his 32 throws for 311 yards and zero turnovers. Brees was extremely efficient, and much to the pleasure of Saints fans, he made numerous deep throws right on the money to receivers.

Here's how it happened:

First Quarter:

  • The Packers receive the opening kickoff.
  • Aaron Rodgers throws a 70-yard touchdown on 3rd and 10 to Randall Cobb. Keenan Lewis did a pretty poor job at finding the ball. Packers lead 7-0.
  • Mark Ingram opens the Saints offensive drive with three straight runs.
  • Drew Brees throws a beautiful deep ball to Kenny Stills for a 46-yard gain to get to the 4-yard line.
  • Brandin Cooks runs it on the next play for a touchdown. Tie game at 7.
  • Eddie Lacy takes a screen pass 67 yards to get inside the 5-yard line.
  • The Packers line up Julius Peppers on the left and fail to complete the pass to him in the end zone.
  • Rodgers is sacked by Cam Jordan on 3rd and goal, and the Saints make a big goal-line stand. Mason Crosby kicks the field goal to make it 10-7 Packers.
  • The Packers attempt an onside kick, but the ball gets deflected and bounces out of bounds. The Saints start with drive in Green Bay territory.
  • The Saints drive down to the Green Bay 10, but Brees is sacked on 3rd down by Peppers. Shayne Graham converts a 31-yard field goal to tie the game at 10.

Second Quarter:

  • The Packers drive stalls after a holding penalty. Mason Crosby makes a 49-yard field goal to give Green Bay the lead 13-10.
  • Kenny Stills makes a great grab for a first down. He seems to be getting increased looks in the offense.
  • Drew Brees throws a perfect deep ball to Brandin Cooks in double coverage, but he drops it.
  • Cooks makes up for it with a spectacular catch as he was laying on the ground for a first down.
  • The Saints drive stalls in the red zone again, and Shayne Graham ties it up at 13 with a 29-yard field goal.
  • The Packers are once again having their way in the passing game, driving straight down to the redzone.
  • Another penalty moves the Packers back and forces a 3rd and 20 that they don't convert. Mason Crosby makes the 27-yard field goal to give the Packers a 16-13 lead.
  • Tavaris Cadet takes two screen passes for good gains. The Saints successfully drive the field in the two-minute drill and Graham makes a 37-yard field goal to tie the game at 16 going into the half. The Saints will receive the second half kickoff.

Third Quarter:

  • Mark Ingram rumbles ahead for a 28-yard run on the Saints first drive. The running game has looked really good so far.
  • Jimmy Graham gets his first two catches of the game to lead the Saints into Green Bay territory.
  • The Saints are stuffed on an attempted run play on 4th and 2. It was a questionable play call by Sean Payton as Ingram lined up 8 yards behind the line of scrimmage with no fullback. The Packers were already in the backfield as Ingram got the handoff.
  • Missed tackles, missed tackles, and more missed tackles. Eddie Lacy is running right through the Saints defense.
  • On 3rd and goal, Aaron Rodgers' pass bounces off of Andrew Quarless and is intercepted by David Hawthorne for a huge turnover.
  • Mark Ingram gets another big gain on the first play after the turnover.
  • Brees throws another perfect deep ball for a 50-yard touchdown to Brandin Cooks. Brees has looked extremely impressive with his deep passes tonight. Saints lead 23-16.
  • The Packers get a first down on a questionable spot. Sean Payton throws the challenge flag and wins it to force a 4th and 1. Eddie Lacy is stuffed on the run play and turn it over on downs.
  • Jimmy Graham gets open on a wheel route and catches a 22-yard touchdown from Brees. Saints lead 30-16.

Fourth Quarter:

  • Cam Jordan gets his second sack of the night to open up the 4th quarter.
  • Rodgers makes a tough throw rolling to his right that deflects off of Devonte Adams' hand and intercepted by Corey White. It's the second interception of that type thrown by Rodgers in the game.
  • The Saints get a gift as Green Bay is called for a weak pass interference call that gains the Saints 34 yards and puts them in the red zone.
  • A well executed play action gets Josh Hill wide open for a 2-yard touchdown catch from Brees.
  • Flags flying everywhere!
  • Eddie Lacy goes over 100 yards receiving out of the backfield.
  • Lacy continues to gain yardage catching out of the backfield. The defense looks exhausted.
  • Rodgers runs for a wide open 14-yard touchdown. It looked like there was no defense on the field. Saints lead 37-23.
  • The Packers fail to recover the onside kick after the touchdown and give the Saints very good field position to start the drive.
  • Hawthorne heads to the locker room with a trainer.
  • Ingram continues to run right through the Packers defense. He's been awesome.
  • Right on cue, Ingram runs for a 21-yard touchdown that features his ridiculous stiff arm. Saints lead 44-23.
  • Matt Flynn takes over at quarterback. Aaron Rodgers had been hobbling around for most of the second half.
  • Kasim Edibali gets a strip sack on Flynn, and Parys Haralson is there to recover it. It's Edibali's second sack of the night.
  • Erik Lorig fumbles, and it's recovered by Tramon Williams with just 1:11 left.
  • Green Bay runs the clock out, and the Saints win 44-23.