It was the kind of game the Packers and especially the Packers' offense needed yesterday at Lambeau Field. After a debilitating 14-12 loss where victory was taken from 'The Pack' by the replacement officials, Green Bay held on in a nail biter 28-27 against the Saints.
A high flying game featured two of the game's top quarterbacks as they showed off their arm strength and accuracy. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers opened up the scoring in the first quarter. James Jones was on the receiving end of a 12 yard TD pass to give the home team an early 7-0 lead.
Drew Brees answered quickly though when he found Marques Colston on a 20 yard touchdown strike to cap an 80 yard drive. It marked the 47th consecutive game in which Brees threw for a touchdown in the regular season. The streak tied an NFL record now shared with Johnny Unitas.
The second play of the second quarter put Green Bay back on top when Greg Jennings hauled in a nine yard touchdown pass to give him 50 in his seven year career. The total is good enough for sixth all time in franchise history.
Fans at Lambeau Field were back on their feet eight minutes later after James Jones tallied his second TD of the game, a 14 yarder that put Green Bay up 21-7.
The fast and furious scoring of the first half continued to the very last moments of the second quarter when Brees flipped the ball to Darren Sproles who brought New Orleans back within seven heading into the locker room.
The Saints received the ball to open play in the third quarter and marched down inside Green Bay's five yard line but had to settle for a field goal to make the score 21-17 Pack.
The Packers marched right back down the field on the next drive before MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers was momentarily knocked out of the game when he was hit in the face by a defender. Backup quarterback Graham Harrell was tripped up by center Jeff Saturday on first and goal and the hand off to Cedric Benson was fumbled and recovered by the Saints. The turnover led to an 80 yard Saints touchdown pass from Brees to Joseph Morgan.
With the Saints leading for the first time in the game, 24-21, Rodgers returned to the game and threw his first interception of game. It led to a field goal for New Orleans. The Saints led 27-21 with 13:04 left in the game.
A defensive stand by Green Bay set the Packers up with prime field position at the New Orleans 43 and a little over ten minutes left to play. An 11 yard laser from Rodgers to Jordy Nelson gave the lead back to the defending NFC North Champions at 28-27 with seven minutes remaining in regulation.
Teh Saints then had a chance to win the game with a 43 yard field goal. The kick was good but a holding penalty on the Saints made it a 53 yarder. An encroachment call on the Pack moved it back to 48 and Garrett Hartley missed a 48 yard field goal to give the Packers a victory.
The win brings Green Bay back to .500 and the Saints fall to an unbelievable (0-4) on the season. Green Bay plays at Indianapolis next Sunday at noon.
