For the first time this season the New Orleans Saints were able to string two wins together, routing the Green Bay Packers 51-29, climbing to a 6-5 record on the season
In their first home game in 42 days, the Saints exploded on the Packers to the tune of 416 total yards of offense and seven touchdowns, tying a team record for the most points scored with 51.
As advertised, both teams put on an offensive show; gunning for one another from the start in what was a close game through the first half. New Orleans clung to a 24-21 lead going into half time, and the game was shaping up to be a last-man standing shootout.
New Orleans came out in the third quarter and erupted on Green Bay, scoring 21 unanswered points, blowing the game wide open.
Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees shredded the Packers' defense, completing 20 of 26 passes for 323 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. Brees dominated what was among the leagues leading passing defenses connecting with seven different receivers.
Brees' favorite target again was wide receiver Lance Moore. Moore hauled in five passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns. His longest coming on a 70-yard scamper when he beat Green Bay safety Atari Bigby for the long touchdown.
Both Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey turned in excellent performances. Colston was relatively quiet in the game until Brees hit him on a beautifully thrown pass in stride for a 70-yard touchdown. His only catch of the game.
Controversial tight end Jeremy Shockey played what may have been his best game as a Saint, catching five passes for 57 yards. Shockey was able to convert a few 3rd-and-long plays, helping to keep the Saints' drives alive.
On the ground, Pierre Thomas again shined for the Saints, carrying 15 times for 87 yards and posting a career high two touchdowns. Thomas ran with authority, pounding the Packers defensive line time and time again. Thomas is the team's leading rusher totaling 325 yards and six touchdowns for the season.
Thomas should see and increased role in the Saints running game moving forward. He seems to be just what New Orleans needs to spark an anemic ground attack.
Deuce McAllister again was used sparingly in what could be his last game at the Superdome and as a Saint. McAllister still faces a four-game suspension for testing positive for a banned diuretic, that if upheld will keep him suspended through the end of the season.
McAllister's future with the Saints is uncertain as the team may be parting ways with the veteran running back due to a high salary-cap hit and a rash of injuries.
In what was a bitter sweet moment for McAllister, he scored on a four-yard touchdown run to move ahead of Dalton Hilliard on the franchises all-time touchdown list with 54. McAllister was visibly emotional after the score walking to the sideline with teary eyes. Head coach Sean Payton reached out and hugged McAllister in a rare showing of emotion.
Deuce totaled five yards to go along with the touchdown on the night.
Defensively, the Saints looked energized and played like a team possessed. Stud linebacker Jonathan Vilma was again the teams leading tackler with eight. Vilma swarmed the ball helping to minimize Green Bay running back Ryan Grant, who was held to 67 yards on the night
2 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Paul Davis 7 months ago
hopefully, jason david can take this positive night and build on it. he will probably be matched up with joey galloway during the game sunday, who always burns the saints secondary. the real question is how is the offensive scheme going to change once reggie is back in the line up. going to be an interesting final 5 weeks to the season yet again!
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Keith Null 7 months ago
Yes. lets hope Jason David can learn from his performance and continue to improve through the remainder of the season. Sean Payton is smart enough to know when he has a good thing, and Thomas is a good thing. I fully expect Payton to utilize Thomas more in his offense from here on out. The most logical thing to do is for him to run a 2 RB set with Thomas and Bush, similar to his 2006 style with McAllister and Bush. It will open up a world of possibilities in the run game as well as the play action pass. Imagine on one down its a draw play to Thomas for a 5 yard plus gain, then the next a swing pass to Bush in the flat as Thomas draws the linebackers in, and then the next a fake to Thomas with Bush in motion...Brees throws down field an hits Moore, Colston, or Shockey for a big gain. The possibilites are endless and if Payton can continue to mix the run and the pass incorporating both Bush and Thomas they will be unstoppable. Now if we can just get the defense to play better.....
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