Packers improve to 2-2 with hard-fought victory over Saints

The Green Bay Packers improved to 2-2 after a hard-fought 28-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints Sunday at Lambeau Field.

It was quite the aerial show as Aaron Rodgers threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns, and Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for 446 yards and three scores.

The crowd gave a nice hand to the regular officials who returned from their lockout. But the honeymoon didn’t last long. After blowing an early 21-7 advantage, the Packers regained the lead on an 11-yard scoring strike to Jordy Nelson with seven minutes left.

Saints returner Darren Sproles fumbled the ensuing kickoff, but he was ruled down by contact and the Packers couldn’t do anything about it because they already used their two replay challenges.

The Saints marched up the field and Garrett Hartley booted a 43-yard field goal to give New Orleans the lead, but a holding call negated the three points.

After an encroachment call against the Packers, Hartley missed a 48-yarder wide-left with 2:49 to go. Green Bay hung on from there.

Packers receiver Greg Jennings scored a touchdown before he aggravated a groin injury and left in the second quarter.

James Jones scored twice and caught a critical third down pass in the final two minutes to put the victory away.

The Saints fell to 0-4 for the first time since 2007. The Packers play at Indianapolis next Sunday.

Blown chance for TD

Green Bay blew a chance for a fifth touchdown late in the third quarter at the Saints’ four-yard line. Rodgers had his eye poked on a face-mask tug by Malcolm Jenkins and Graham Harrell came in the game for one play.

Harrell tripped on center Jeff Saturday’s foot and botched a handoff to Cedric Benson which the Saints recovered.

Benson ran for 84 yards and had 22 more yards on four catches.

Nelson led the Packer receiving corps with eight catches for 93 yards.

The Saints only had 45 yards of rushing offense, but they outgained the Packers in total yards 474 to 421.

Brees tied Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas for the most consecutive games with a touchdown pass with 47.

Marques Colston caught nine passes for 153 yards and the Saints’ first TD. Green Bay is now 10-2 against New Orleans all-time at Lambeau Field.

Tags: sports, wisconsin, proam