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Home > The Swing > Packers humbled in 38-3 season-opening loss to New Orleans
Podcast: The Swing
Episode:

Packers humbled in 38-3 season-opening loss to New Orleans
Category: Sports & Recreation
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2021-09-12 23:39:14
Description:

Aaron Rodgers’ potential last dance with Green Bay did not get off to the start he or anyone else wanted or expected, as the Packers got hammered 38-3 by the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in Jacksonville.

Playing for the first time since the NFC title game last January, the future Hall of Fame quarterback looked nothing like the MVP performer he was a year ago. The team’s first two drives consisted of 12 plays and 21 yards. Meanwhile, the Saints had drives of nine plays, 15 plays and 15 plays to take a 17-3 lead into halftime.

Things got worse for Rodgers and the Packers in the second. After driving all the way down inside the New Orleans 10-yard line, Rodgers threw a bad pass intended for Davante Adams that was intercepted by rookie cornerback Paulson Adebo. Rodgers would toss another one to the Saints on the next possession, this time on an overthrow to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The Saints converted that one into a touchdown and the rout was on.

Coach Matt LaFleur took Rodgers out of the game when it got to 38-3 near the middle of the fourth quarter, allowing Jordan Love to lead the final two drives. Perhaps in fitting fashion, Love drove the team down inside the 5-yard line in the final minute of the game before turning the ball over with a fumble.

Rodgers finished 15-for-28 for 133 yards and two interceptions. In his remarkable season a year ago, the quarterback didn’t throw his first pick until Week 6 and finished with a total of five all year.

Green Bay’s offense wasn’t alone in its deficiencies. The Saints’ offense did pretty much whatever they wanted, rushing for 171 yards, much of that coming in the first half as they established their dominance. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw for just 148 yards but five of his 14 completions resulted in touchdowns.

The 35-point loss was the worst in a game started by Rodgers, topping the 31-point loss to Detroit in the 2018 season-finale in which Rodgers was forced to leave early with a concussion. The three points was also the fewest in a game Rodgers started and finished.

The Packers got hit by injuries, too, losing tight end Josiah Deguara to a concussion, while safety Darnell Savage exited with a shoulder injury.

Green Bay will return home next Monday to face the Lions at Lambeau Field.

The post Packers humbled in 38-3 season-opening loss to New Orleans first appeared on 96.7FM 1670AM The Zone | WOZN - Madison, WI.
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