Saints Battle Back for Big 26-17 Win at Green Bay

The New Orleans Saints (4-2) came to Green Bay trying to win their fourth game in a row. On a soggy Lambeau Field, the Saints offense struggled in the first half, with Drew Brees throwing two interceptions and the team mustering only seven points. In the second half, the Saints offense and defense played complimentary football to stymie the Packers. New Orleans scored on all of their possession in the second half, except for the one they used to close out the game. The defense came away with only one interception, but forced two fumbles and regularly found its way off the field in the second half.

The team has now won four in a row and is right now in FIRST PLACE in the NFC South. Who would’ve thunk it? Who Dat? We Dat!

Here’s a quarter by quarter recap of the game:

1st Quarter

• Saints win the toss and defer. What world is this? :-)
• Packers start with a 15-yard gain on a run by Aaron Jones
• On 3rd and 2, Packers get into the Saints territory
• Aaron Jones scores a 46-yard rushing touchdown right up the middle
• NO: 0 - GB: 7
• Saints start at their 25-yard line after a touchback
• Saints get to midfield on a 24-yard screen pass to Alvin Kamara
• On 4th and 2 at the Packers 32-yard line, Saints go for it
• Brees 8-yard pass to Michael Thomas converts the fourth down
• Brees throws an interception in the end zone to Damarious Randall
• NO: 0 - GB: 7
• Saints defense forces the Packers into a three-and-out
• Ted Ginn Jr. muffs the punt but gets bailed out by a fair catch interference call
• Saints quickly get into Packers territory with a long pass to Ted Ginn Jr.
• Brees throws another pick, this time to Davon House
• Saints force the Packers into another three-and-out
• Saints start near midfield and quickly get into Packers territory as the quarter ends

2nd Quarter

• Saints easily get into the red zone
• Mark Ingram runs into the end zone for a Saints touchdown
• NO: 7 - GB: 7
• Packers start at their 25-yard line
• A 15-yard penalty on A.J. Klein gets the Packers near the Saints red zone
• Brett Hundley runs into the end zone for a 14-yard Packers touchdown
• NO: 7 - GB: 14
• Saints start at their 25-yard line
• Saints get into Packers territory
• Saints stall on 4th and 2 just inside Green Bay’s territory and punt
• Packers get out of trouble with a 22-yard run by Brett Hundley
• On 3rd and 14, the Packers stall and have to punt
• Brees gets sacked on first down and an incomplete pass on second
• On 3rd and 17, the Saints convert on a Ted Ginn Jr. screen pass
• Three plays later, Saints stall and have to punt
• Packers drive near midfield
• Green Bay gets into Saints territory on a PI call on Vonn Bell
• After stalling, Packers attempt and miss a 59-yard field goal
• Saints attempt one last stat-padding pass as the half ends
• NO: 7 - GB: 14

3rd Quarter

• After deferring, Saints start with the ball
• Tommylee Lewis with a great kickoff return sets the Saints up near their 40-yard line
• Brees finds Thomas on a big 21-yard pass on 3rd and 9 into Packers territory
• Brees finds Brandon Coleman for a 22-yard touchdown pass
• This was Brees’ 500th career touchdown pass!!! 4th all-time!
• Wil Lutz’ extra point is blocked
• NO: 13 - GB: 14
• Packers start at their 25-yard line
• Saints force a 3rd and 18 aided by an Alex Okafor sack and stop the Packers
• Saints take the ball from their 16-yard line
• Brees finds Ted Ginn Jr. for a 47-yard pass into Packers territory
• Saints get into the red zone but stall
• Wil Lutz make a 28-yard field goal, Saints take their first lead of the day
• NO: 16 - GB: 14
• Packers return the kickoff to their 19-yard line
• Packers get into Saints territory running the ball with Aaron Jones
• A penalty on David Onyemata sets the Packers up near the red zone
• The quarter ends with the Saints up by two

4th Quarter

• On 3rd and 10, the Packers settle for a field goal
• NO: 16 - GB: 17
• Saints return the kickoff to their 14-yard line
• Saints get into Packers territory on a run by Mark Ingram
• On 3rd and 10, Saints stall
• Wil Lutz makes a 44-yard field goal and Saints retake the lead
• NO: 19 - GB: 17
• Packers start from their 10-yard line
• On 3rd and 9, Packers stall and have to punt
• Saints get good field position at their 45-yard line
• Mark Ingram runs into Packers territory and gets horse-collared
• Saints get the ball at the Packers 13-yard line
• Saints get to the one-yard line on 1st and 2nd and goal
• On 3rd and goal, Brees uses his patented “sneak leap” for a touchdown
• NO: 26 - GB: 17
• Packers start at their 25-yard line
• Kenny Vaccaro picks off a long pass from Brett Hundley
• Saints take over at their 29-yard line
• Saints get to the two-minute warning with a first down
• Saints kneel down and win it 26-17
• SAINTS WIN! SAINTS WIN!
• NO: 26 - GB: 17