Week 2 Game Recap: New Orleans Saints 34, Green Bay Packers 27

What you need to know

New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees overcame a pair of fumbles on his first two drives and an interception on his third to throw for 353 yards and two touchdowns, as New Orleans rallied from an early deficit to notch a 34-27 victory over Green Bay. He completed over 60% of his passes after a rocky start and seemed to get stronger as the game went on. Brees had a couple of dropped balls by his receivers but was very accurate throwing to his targets.

When it came to piling up the yards, Deuce McAllister never really got going in this game as the Saints struggled to establish a running game. McAllister tried to pound the ball inside but Green Bay was superb closing up the lanes and keeping gains to a minimum. He did score a pair of touchdowns but was limited to just 47 yards on the ground.

Joe Horn led the receivers with five catches for 88 yards but did not find the end zone. Marques Colston’s height created several opportunities for him to excel this week in route to four receptions for 58 and his second touchdown of the season. As the third receiver, Devery Henderson made the most of his playing time with three catches for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Green Bay Packers

Brett Favre put up some huge fantasy numbers against New Orleans but unfortunately it was in a losing effort. Favre nearly pulled off another fourth quarter comeback after Green Bay had squandered an early lead but the drive stalled inside New Orleans territory and the Packers turned the ball over on downs. He completed 31 of 55 attempts for 340 yards and three touchdowns in Green Bay’s second straight loss at home.

Ahman Green struggled in this game with two fumbles, losing one of them, and several dropped passes. Green’s costly fumble in the fourth quarter resulted in a two touchdown lead for New Orleans, a deficit the Packers could not overcome. He rushed for just 42 yards on 16 attempts a significant drop off from last week’s 100 plus yard performance. Green added six catches for 48 yards in the passing game.

Rookie Greg Jennings scored his first NFL touchdown on a 22 yard strike from Favre in the first quarter. Jennings could be the deep threat that Green Bay has been lacking for several years and a nice compliment to veteran Donald Driver. Driver had a big game with eight catches for 153 yards but no touchdowns. Jennings ended the game with six catches for 67 yards and a touchdown.

What you ought to know

QB Drew Brees, Pass: 26 - 41 - 353 - 2 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 4 - -4 - 0

Brees was horrible on the Saints’ first three possessions, fumbling twice and throwing and interception. His turnovers quickly led to 13 point deficit and the making of a long afternoon for Brees and the New Orleans offensive. Brees regained his composure and turned the momentum in New Orleans favor, leading two touchdown drives in the second quarter. He appeared to have no problems with his right shoulder as he showed plenty of arm strength and nice touch on several passes. Brees completed 26 of 41 passes for 353 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also had three fumbles, losing two of them to Green Bay.

RB Reggie Bush, Rush: 6 - 5 - 0, Rec: 8 - 68 - 0 (9 targets)

Bush was ineffective rushing the ball, gaining just five yards on six carries most of them in the first half. His speed was nullified to the outside as Green Bay’s defensive back played closer to the line of scrimmage expecting Bush to get the ball. Bush was much more effective catching the ball, lining up as a receiver often and grabbing an occasional swing pass out of the backfield. He caught more passes than any other Saint with eight receptions for 68 yards.

RB Deuce McAllister, Rush: 12 - 47 - 2, Rec: 1 - 24 - 0 (2 targets)

McAllister rushed for 47 yards on 12 carries with a pair of touchdowns for New Orleans. Although he split time in the backfield with Reggie Bush, McAllister clearly had the better day. McAllister bulled his way through the line on his first score of the day from three yards away. He later rumbled 23 yards shaking off a Green Bay defender for his second score of the game. McAllister also caught a screen pass for a 24 yard gain.

RB Aaron Stecker, Rec: 3 - 21 - 0 (3 targets)

Stecker had no carries in the game and had three targets out of the backfield. He saw limited playing time in the second half aside from returning kickoffs.

RB Corey McIntyre, Rec: 1 - 10 - 0 (2 targets)

McIntyre was signed early last week after both New Orleans’ fullbacks were injured in the season opener at Cleveland. He had a key ten yard reception on fourth and one which led to a Saints touchdown.

WR Joe Horn, Rec: 5 - 88 - 0 (6 targets)

Horn was more actively involved in this game then the season opener and led the Saints with 88 receiving yards. He had his longest reception in nearly two seasons with a 57 yard dash in the third quarter. Horn was in a clear mismatch in the slot against a linebacker, Brees spotted the defensive miscue and threw a quick slant and Horn did the rest. He finished with five receptions.

WR Marques Colston, Rec: 4 - 58 - 1 (10 targets)

In just his second NFL game, Colston scored a touchdown for the second consecutive week. Colston used his size against the smaller Green Bay defender and out leaped his opponent on a pass slightly under thrown for a 35 yard touchdown catch. He started slow with a couple of dropped passes but Brees continued to throw his way consistently throughout the game. Colston finished with four receptions for 58 yards.

WR Devery Henderson, Rec: 3 - 51 - 1 (6 targets)

Henderson had a nice game with three receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown in limited play. He scored on a fake post route, broke outside and down the sideline and Brees froze the defender with a pump fake that left Henderson wide open for the easy touchdown.

WR Lance Moore (1 targets)

Backup wide receiver, Lance Moore had a target thrown his way late in the game but he was unable to hold on to the ball.

TE Ernie Conwell (1 targets)

Conwell had one target thrown his way but the pass was under thrown.

TE Nate Lawrie (1 targets)

Backup tight end, Nate Lawrie had just one target in the game but it was an end zone target that was defended by Packers’ linebacker A.J. Hawk.

PK John Carney 2 - 2 FG, 4 - 4 XP, 10 points

Carney made both of his field goal attempts in the game, both coming in the third quarter. He split the uprights from 45 yards away and squeaked a 47 yard attempt just inside the right upright. Carney was a perfect four for four on extra point attempts.

NO Rush Defense

The Saints’ rush defense clogged the middle and shutdown the corners and held Green Bay to just 63 yards on the ground and no touchdowns.

NO Pass Defense

The Saints’ pass defense allowed Favre to pass for 340 yards and three touchdowns and put little pressure on him. Safety Omar Stoutmire registered the lone interception for New Orleans for a touchback. Defensive linemen Will Smith and Willie Whitehead each recorded a sack for New Orleans.

QB Brett Favre, Pass: 31 - 55 - 340 - 3 TD / 1 INT

Favre had a hot hand to start the game, leading Green Bay to an early lead. His hot hand quickly cooled with several dropped passes, a few overthrows which led to four straight punts before halftime. Favre showed flashes of old, threading his passes with precision but also showed signs of last season, forcing his pass attempts and overthrowing his targets. Although he had just one interception, the turnover came on a crucial possession in the red zone. Favre was hit as he released the ball which created the errant pass attempt for the interception. His numbers were excellent for fantasy owners, completing 31 of 55 attempts for 340 yards, three touchdowns and the one interception.

RB Ahman Green, Rush: 16 - 42 - 0, Rec: 6 - 48 - 0 (11 targets)

Green never managed to get anything going on the ground, finding short gains both inside and outside. He was more effective out of the backfield on several screen passes and drop offs in the flat. Green rushed for 42 yards on 16 carries but even more disappointing was his longest run of the game at just eight yards. He showed no sign of his past injuries, making several cutbacks to the inside without any problem. Green had six receptions out of the backfield for 48 yards. He had two fumbles in the game, one recovered by New Orleans which led to a Saints’ touchdown on the very next play.

RB Noah Herron, Rush: 3 - 5 - 0, Rec: 1 - 6 - 1 (1 targets)

Herron had just three carries throughout and one reception for six yards. His lone reception was a touchdown, the first of his career.

RB Vernand Morency (1 targets)

The newly acquired Morency had a kickoff return for 28 yards in the fourth quarter, his only action of the game.

RB William Henderson (1 targets)

Henderson did not have a carry in the game but did receive one target, an end zone target that was intercepted.

WR Donald Driver, Rush: 1 - 16 - 0, Rec: 8 - 153 - 0 (10 targets)

Driver had a huge day with 153 yards on eight catches but unfortunately did not find the end zone. He was in sync with Favre throughout the game, seeing mostly single coverage which they exploited. Driver’s longest reception of the game was a beautiful slant route to the inside, spinning to the outside and down the sideline for a 48 yard gain which led to a Green Bay field goal. He also added 16 yards on the ground with an end around play in the third quarter.

WR Greg Jennings, Rec: 6 - 67 - 1 (12 targets)

Jennings had several deep targets from Favre but each time the pass was overthrown. He scored his first NFL touchdown on a 22 yard strike from Favre to give Green Bay the early lead. Jennings made an outstanding inside out move, turning the defender around and Favre dropped the pass to Jennings, in stride, for the easy score. He finished with six receptions for 67 yards and one touchdown. Favre appears to have confidence in Jennings, throwing his way in clutch situations and late in the game.

WR Robert Ferguson, Rec: 1 - 4 - 1 (5 targets)

Ferguson was fairly invisible for the first three quarters of the game but he did make an appearance in the fourth quarter with four targets. He had just one catch in the game for a four yard touchdown. Another of his fourth quarter targets was in the end zone but he was not able to hold on to the ball.

WR Koren Robinson

Robinson made his season debut with the Packers returning kickoffs. It is not clear when he might be used as a wide receiver for Green Bay.

TE David Martin, Rec: 6 - 44 - 0 (7 targets)

Martin saw four targets during Green Bay’s comeback attempt in the fourth quarter while starting tight end Bubba Franks had none. He ended the day with six receptions for 44 yards.

TE Bubba Franks, Rec: 3 - 18 - 0 (6 targets)

Franks had several dropped targets thrown his way and Brett Favre showed his frustration with him on the field. He caught just three passes in the game for 18 yards with no target in the fourth quarter.

PK Dave Rayner 2 - 2 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 9 points

Rayner made all three extra point attempts in the game. He also made his first NFL career field goal from 26 yards away in the first quarter. Rayner also made good on his 36 yard attempt later in the first quarter.

GB Rush Defense

The Packers’ rush defense shutdown the Saints’ running game, holding them to just 48 yards on the ground. They did allow two rushing touchdowns, including a 23 yard run by McAllister. Cornerback Charles Woodson led the Packers with eight tackles.

GB Pass Defense

The Packers’ pass defense was stellar for the first quarter putting pressure on Drew Brees and forcing three turnovers. The remainder of the game was a different story, as Brees threw at will on his way to 353 passing yards and two touchdowns. Defensive end Aaron Kampman led the Green Bay defense with two sacks, a forced fumble and recovery. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila also added a sack and forced fumble for Green Bay.