The Packers had the game in control for a little over 48 minutes. Atlanta kept with the run, thus wearing down the defense, and Green Bay’s offense couldn’t gain a first down and that was enough to open the flood gates. With a first year starter at QB, and the youngest roster the NFL has seen in 6 years, these types of games are going to occur. It’s clear as day the Packers have talent scattered all over the field – however, they’re lacking experience and this is how they get it. Buckle up, there are going to be 3-5 more games like this this season alone.

Speaking of the Packers’ offense, Jordan Love compiled a decent game again, proving enough to almost anyone with two working eyes that he’s capable of being good. Now he must string this together for an entire season to garner an extension (I fully expect him to). While he didn’t seem rattled in the 4th quarter, his production – or lack thereof – would say otherwise. The Packers ran 10 plays for a total of 7 yards in the entire fourth quarter, and a defense that held the Falcons in check, began to break. Green Bay ended up allowing 211 rushing yards the Packers lost the time of possession 36:15 to 23:45. Those numbers will need to improve should the Green & Gold have visions of making a playoff run.

Another bright spot, rookie WR Jayden Reed arrived on the scene with his first 2 TDs. As mentioned above, Jordan Love continued on with another 3 TDs and 0 INTs (thanks to a dropped INT late). He’ll need to increase his completion percentage. Love ranks first in QB Rating (118.8), and T-1st in TDs (6), but 30th in completion % (55.8%). It’s not that he’s inaccurate or missing open guys, but an overall timing situation and rhythm with the rest of the offense. It’s correctable, but reps are needed. The real disappointment was A.J. Dillon. He had another opportunity to shine and as he has in the past, he let down the team/fans. He’s produced in the past, but this was a lot of slipping, not keeping his feet and missing open holes and hitting others at the wrong time. I’ve been a long defender of Dillon and loved him as a pick, but this is likely his last season in Green Bay as HBs are easily replaceable with mid-late round draft picks.

(2-0) New Orleans Saints @ Green Bay Packers (1-1)

The Saints have won both games by the closest of margins – they’ve done so with solid/aggressive defensive play. There’s a good article and point brought up by Jeff Duncan. The point he raises is how New Orleans corners are very handsy and aggressive with pass catchers, and while they get called from time to time for pass interference or illegal contact, they get away with a ton too, which forces the offense into tough situations or turnovers. It also allows their pass rushers more time to get to the quarterback as the receivers take more time to get into their route and location by fighting through the defenders. Don’t think the Saints aren’t aware, they know, they know the opponent knows, and still are committed to this play. This may be the game where Love ends his turnover-less streak, but there’s good chance that he takes a few more deep shots in hopes to either connect or get a call or two to really pick up some chunk yards.

Matchup~

	NO off.	(rank)	vs.	GB def.	(rank)
Rush	101.5	17		166.5	30
Pass	244.5	8		212.0	17
Total	346.0	10		378.5	27
Pts	18.0	25		22.5	14
	NO def.			GB off.
Rush	102.0	14		88.0	24
Pass	160.0	7		188.5	23
Total	262.0	5		276.5	25
Pts	16.0	T-5		31.0	2
T/O
Takeaways	4	T-7th		3	T-12th
Giveaways	3	T-15th		0	T-1st
Diff.	1	T-11th		3	T-5th

The Saints, based on yardages, are a very strong and balanced team. For some reason, they just don’t score points. They do a great job of limiting points, as mentioned above, those quarterbacks they faced (Tannehill in week 1, and rookie Bryce Young in week 2), struggled. Tannehill threw 3 interceptions which New Orleans scored 10 points off of those leading them to a 1-point victory. The following week, the rookie Young was pedestrian and was shut down for essentially the entire game until a late touchdown (Carolina’s first of the game) came with 1:58 left.

Love will need to continue to take care of the football and keep his defense off the field, while scoring points. Where the Packers can benefit is they have the best pass blocking unit in the NFL so far on this young season, and the Saints need time to get to the quarterback, so there should be some opportunities to get chunk plays, but Jordan MUST convert them, otherwise it’ll be a repeat of the 4th quarter last week and New Orleans’ defensive backs will continue to gain confidence and could shut down the Packers receiving corps.

It doesn’t help that Green Bay may be without their 4 best offensive players: Bakhtiari; Jenkins; Watson; Jones. To compound the issue, Green Bays’ BEST overall player, Jaire Alexander, may miss the game too. That’s essentially 5 of their top 8 players missing in action…possibly.

All in all, it seems to be a pretty even matchup, as New Orleans has a bunch of veterans that have experience, but Green Bay has the talent and speed to compete with anyone on any day, hence why they’re favored. Plus it’s the home opener, a great opportunity to start the season strong and get out the gate at 2-1.

Saints 27 (+1)
Packers 24

Season: 1-1
Overall: 88-53