Rodgers-less offense sputters in 2nd half
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The way that the New Orleans Saints won on the road Sunday might serve as a valuable lesson in their quest to return to the playoffs.
The defense gave up a long touchdown run on the first series to the Green Bay Packers. Drew Brees threw two interceptions — and the Saints weren’t even out of the first quarter yet at Lambeau Field.
But Brees bounced back to throw for a touchdown and run for another, Mark Ingram rushed for a score and the Saints recovered for a 26-17 win.
Green Bay lost its first game with Brett Hundley starting at quarterback for the injured Aaron Rodgers.
“Well, (we) find a lot of ways to win, pretty resilient,” Brees said.
Will Lutz kicked two second-half field goals, including a 44-yarder to put New Orleans up for good 19-17 with 10:26 left in the game. Brees’ 1-yard sneak gave the Saints a two-score lead with 4:55 left.
The Saints were fortunate to get their fourth straight victory. But after taking the first three games by at least 14 points, they’ll savor a win earned following several early mistakes in addition to Brees’ picks.
The Saints (4-2) pulled away late at overcast Lambeau Field, scoring on four second-half drives before running out the clock. It’s a good sign for a club 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.”
Brees added another milestone to his 17-year career, becoming the fourth player in NFL history with at least 500 touchdown passes, including the playoffs. He joined Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Tom Brady in that group.
After holding the Packers (4-3) to a three-and-out inside the 20, New Orleans drove 55 yards in eight plays to seal the game with Brees’ sneak over the goal line.
Brees finished 27 of 38 for 331 yards, and Ingram ran for 105 yards on 22 carries.
The Packers couldn’t generate big plays late without Rodgers, who is out indefinitely with a broken right collarbone. Instead, coach Mike McCarthy turned to a running game that initially threw off the Saints.
Rookie Aaron Jones had 131 yards on 17 carries, including a 46-yard touchdown run on the opening drive. Hundley, who was 12-for-25 for 87 yards and an interception, showed toughness in running for a 14-yard score to give Green Bay a 14-7 lead with 8:37 left in the second quarter.
But the Packers managed just a 46yard field goal from Mason Crosby in the second half.