Life without Rodgers not so good
Saints overcome slow start to defeat Hundley, Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The way the Saints won on the road Sunday might serve as a valuable lesson in their quest to return to the playoffs.
Their defense gave up a long touchdown run on the first series, DrewBrees threwtwo interceptions and the Saints weren’t even out of the first quarter at Lambeau Field.
But Brees bounced back to throw for a touchdown and run for another, Mark Ingram rushed for a touchdown and the Saints recovered to earn a 26- 17 victory against the Packers, who lost their first game with Brett Hundley starting at quarterback in place of Aaron Rodgers ( broken collarbone).
‘‘ Well, [ we] find a lot of ways to win, pretty resilient,’’ Brees said.
Will Lutz kicked two field goals in the second half, including a 44- yarder that put the Saints ahead for good 19- 17 with 10: 26 left. Brees’ one- yard sneak gave them a two- score lead with 4: 55 left.
ThesloppySaintswere fortunate to escape with their fourth consecutive victory. But after winning the first three by at least 14 points, they’ll savor a victory earned after making several early mistakes in addition to Brees’ picks.
The Saints ( 4- 2) gave up a 46- yard touchdown run to rookie Aaron Jones on the opening drive and were penalized seven times for 80 yards. Lutz also had an extra point blocked.
Still, the Saints pulled away late, scoring on four second- half drives before running out the clock. It was a good sign for a team hoping to make its first playoff appearance since the 2013 season.
‘‘ I wouldn’t call us a dominant team, but we’re striving to be that type of team,’’ Brees said. ‘‘ I think what I like is that we’re encountering a lot of different situations and things in games and finding different ways to win.’’
After holding the Packers ( 4- 3) to a three- and- out inside the 20, the Saints drove 55 yards in eight plays to seal the victory with Brees’ sneak over the goal line. Brees finished 27- for- 38 for 331 yards, and Ingram ran 22 times for 105 yards.
The Packers couldn’t generate big plays without Rodgers. Instead, coach Mike McCarthy turned to a running game that initially threw off the Saints.
Jones carried 17 times for 131 yards, and Hundley showed toughness in running for a 14- yard touchdown to give the Packers a 14- 7 lead with 8: 37 left in the second quarter.
But the Packers managed only a 46- yard field goal from Mason Crosby, which gave them a brief 17- 16 lead, in the second half. The Saints took over from there, and the Packers couldn’t keep up through the air.
‘‘ I’m particularly disgusted with the second half,’’ McCarthy said. ‘‘ As a head coach, when your team doesn’t perform and drops off the way it did in the second half, I’m disappointed.’’
Hundley finished 12- for- 25 for 87 yards. He was intercepted by safety Kenny Vaccaro on a deep ball down the middle with 4: 20 left, ending the Packers’ comeback bid.