Brees, Saints bounce back after a slow start
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 had 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 twoscore lead with 4:55 left.
The sloppy 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 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. Hundley 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 46-yard field goal from Mason Crosby in the second half, which gave them a brief 17-16 lead.
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 of 25 for 87 yards. He was intercepted by safety Kenny Vaccaro on a deep ball down the middle of the field with 4:20 left.