Saints 27, Packers 28
Saints have a better showing, but fall just short...0-4 for first time since 2007
This season has been such an emotional rollercoaster to start out. We really needed this game against the Packers, and it felt as though we were going to finally get over the hump to win against the Packers. However, we fell just short, and are now 0-4 in the 2012 season. Here's my rundown from Sunday.
Encouraging Notes on Offense
Drew Brees & Marques Colston both played pretty flawless. You couldn’t ask for better play from Brees in this game, and most importantly, he DID NOT TURN THE BALL OVER. Marques Colston played his best game of this young season, and probably one of his best games as a Saint in recent memory. The emergence of Joseph Morgan on the primetime stage was great to see. My take on it is that he would act a lot like Devery Henderson did in ’09, when he beat the defense on a good bit of plays, and create deep options for Brees. The offensive line looked much better in holding their blocks, and picking up the blitz. Clearly, they got some sort of message from the previous week(s).
Encouraging Notes on Offense
Drew Brees & Marques Colston both played pretty flawless. You couldn’t ask for better play from Brees in this game, and most importantly, he DID NOT TURN THE BALL OVER. Marques Colston played his best game of this young season, and probably one of his best games as a Saint in recent memory. The emergence of Joseph Morgan on the primetime stage was great to see. My take on it is that he would act a lot like Devery Henderson did in ’09, when he beat the defense on a good bit of plays, and create deep options for Brees. The offensive line looked much better in holding their blocks, and picking up the blitz. Clearly, they got some sort of message from the previous week(s).
Colston with a controversial touchdown catch.
What Run Game?
The Saints had so many yards on offense, but a fraction of that came on the ground. The Packers did stuff up the run for a good bit, but it seemed like every down Brees was back to pass. Brees alone had 54 pass attempts on the day, and the Saints had 19 rushing attempts. 45 Rushing Yards on the day clearly show a lack of balance.
The Saints had so many yards on offense, but a fraction of that came on the ground. The Packers did stuff up the run for a good bit, but it seemed like every down Brees was back to pass. Brees alone had 54 pass attempts on the day, and the Saints had 19 rushing attempts. 45 Rushing Yards on the day clearly show a lack of balance.
Hartley Miss Proves Costly
It would be the second week in a row Hartley misses a pivotal game changing Field Goal. Now I’m not going to rag on Hartley, or call for his blood like some would, but his FG would have put the Saints ahead. You can blame the line, specifically Mr. Drescher for the Holding call. Hartley is usually spot on, and had kicked well all week. It’s football, but this is one we desperately needed.
It would be the second week in a row Hartley misses a pivotal game changing Field Goal. Now I’m not going to rag on Hartley, or call for his blood like some would, but his FG would have put the Saints ahead. You can blame the line, specifically Mr. Drescher for the Holding call. Hartley is usually spot on, and had kicked well all week. It’s football, but this is one we desperately needed.
Harltley dejected after a missed opportunity
Packers Gamble Pays Off
It was a sickening feeling to see the Packers convert on the John Kuhn fake punt run sneak to pick up the first down. Not much else to say here, we all had a feeling that we'd get tricked someway.
It was a sickening feeling to see the Packers convert on the John Kuhn fake punt run sneak to pick up the first down. Not much else to say here, we all had a feeling that we'd get tricked someway.
Defense Looked Better, but ZERO sacks
For teams like the Packers & Seahawks to sack the hell out of Aaron Rodgers, we had none. Rodgers was able to escape, and extend plays to get the Packers out of sticky situations, and keep the chains moving. What people fail to remember, and yes, this will seem like a stab on our D-Line, is that Spagnoulo had an amazing front four to work with. Unfortunately, our front four is not producing. Holding the high powered Packer offense to less than 500 yards is some sort of moral victory, and looks ‘better’ on a stat sheet, but we still have a ton of work to do on the defensive side. Hell, even Aaron Rodgers only threw for 319 yards on the day.
For teams like the Packers & Seahawks to sack the hell out of Aaron Rodgers, we had none. Rodgers was able to escape, and extend plays to get the Packers out of sticky situations, and keep the chains moving. What people fail to remember, and yes, this will seem like a stab on our D-Line, is that Spagnoulo had an amazing front four to work with. Unfortunately, our front four is not producing. Holding the high powered Packer offense to less than 500 yards is some sort of moral victory, and looks ‘better’ on a stat sheet, but we still have a ton of work to do on the defensive side. Hell, even Aaron Rodgers only threw for 319 yards on the day.
My final thoughts are simple. I was in Lafayette yesterday passing through, and I saw a player statue (lawn decoration) with ‘Who Dat’ on it, and it had a paper bag over its head. To you ‘fans’ who are going to turn to these types of antics in the time where our boys need us most, do yourself a favor & get you a Texans, Cardinals, or Falcons jersey. Burn all of your Saints gear, because the Saints organization doesn’t need you, and we would be better off without you. The season is NOT OVER, and with the rest of the NFC Teams playing crazy (exception being Arizona & Atlanta), the NFC is still open to us. People tend to forget that someone like the Chargers started so terrible last season, and finished very strong. Winning 4 in a row is not uncommon, and just going 3-1 over the next 4 weeks (excluding the BYE) would be so helpful. Until the Saints hit 8-9 losses, they are still very much alive.
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