The matchup between future Hall of Fame quarterbacks on Sunday Night Football did not disappoint. Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees combined for 67 points in a classic game that went down to the wire.
Aaron Rodgers has silenced any doubt of whether or not he could continue as the franchise quarterback of the Green Bay Packers. After scoring 43 against the Vikings and 42 against the Lions, Rodgers responded with 37 points against the Saints, who were the NFC favorite for many before the season started.
Without star wide receiver Davante Adams, Rodgers went to undrafted standout Allen Lazard. The emerging receiver had six catches for 142 yards, which was a career-high. Lazard had a 72-yard catch to start off the third quarter with a bang.
“The 72-yarder, the first series out of halftime. I told Aaron Jones out of halftime, I need another 75-yard, 80-yard touchdown like you had last week out of halftime,” said Lazard after the game.
Rodgers was able to manipulate the Saints’ defense, which is something that opposing quarterbacks cannot normally do in the Superdome, but with only 750 friends and family in the stands, Rodgers controlled the cadence of the game.
“It’s a big weapon for us. This place is rocking all the time, and I know we all miss that in the sport, but it definitely helps us in an environment like this,” said Rodgers.
In the absence of All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas, the Saints did not seem to skip a beat. Drew Brees responded to the critique that he could no longer throw downfield and went 29 of 36 with 288 yards passing and three touchdown passes. Brees was assisted heavily by Alvin Kamara, who ran wild on the Packers for most of the evening. Kamara only had six carries for 58 yards but added 13 receptions for 139 yards in a dominating performance.
Ultimately, it would be Za’Darius Smith who forced a fumble in the fourth quarter. The rare turnover by the Saints’ offense turned the tide for Green Bay and ultimately led to a go-ahead field goal by Mason Crosby.
Highlights:
Going DEEP to @AllenLazard!
A 72-yard gain!#GBvsNO | #GoPackGo
📺 NBC
📱 https://t.co/2UxGSiVlvn https://t.co/xhNfXMsZQr— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 28, 2020
Kamara is ridic!!!🔥#Saints | 📺: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/UNLFZJzet3
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 28, 2020
TOUCHDOWN @RobTonJr! 💪#GBvsNO | #GoPackGo
📺 NBC
📱 https://t.co/2UxGSiVlvn pic.twitter.com/0sAjXvn7Q2— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 28, 2020
Through the first three games of the season, Green Bay leads the NFL with 41 points per game. They’re also first in the league in yards per game. The Packers face off next Monday night at home against the struggling Atlanta Falcons who blew another 20-point lead against the Bears in Week 3.
New Orleans has been one of the best offenses in the league so far, but penalties on the defensive side of the ball have killed the Saints. Eight penalties for 83 yards was one of the biggest differences in the game on Sunday. Offsides and pass interference calls consistently gave Aaron Rodgers the chance to extend drives and keep Alvin Kamara on the sideline. The Saints will try to clean up their game next week on the road against the 1-2 Lions.
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