Packers vs. Saints: Top 5 Plays from Season Opener

Wow!

What a great way to start off the NFL season with a game between the last two Super Bowl champs. 

We knew this was going to be a high-scoring affair and it certainly was that and more. The Packers took down the Saints 42-34 and showed the world why they are the reigning champions. 

The Saints started off slow, but later on joined the touchdown party and gave the Packers a solid fight. This game was packed with a number of highlights and top plays. 

I'll be breaking down the best five. Here we go...

5. Robert Meachem 31 Yard Touchdown

After what looked like a sloppy start for New Orleans, the first touchdown of the game for the Saints impressed.

Drew Brees threw the first of three touchdowns on a 31 yard pass to WR Robert Meachem. Not the most exciting play, but it got the Saints started on offense. Especially Brees, who would then go on to have a monster game, going 32-49 for 419 yards.

This play set up to what was the start of a touchdown frenzy.  

4. James Stark 17 Yard TD Return

Running back James Starks killed the Saints defense and their momentum heading into halftime. 

He pounded his way to a 17-yard touchdown with two minutes left to go in the second quarter and the Packers took a 28-17 lead thereafter. Of course, the Packers offensive line should also be given credit as they were stellar. Starks finished the game with 57 yards and had his lone touchdown of the game on this play. 

3. Mark Ingram Denied by Packers Defense

It all came down to this. After the Saints got one more chance due to a last second defensive pass interference penalty on linebacker A.J. Hawk on the game's last possession.

The Saints had it all set up at the one-yard line. They knew it wasn't going to be easy but it had to be done. Brees handed it off to rookie running back Mark Ingram, who then attempted to drive right into the heart of the Packers defense. He was met by more than a few helmets and was immediately stopped short of a touchdown.

At last, defense was finally played in this offensive juggernaut of a game. The Packers didn't get all the stops they needed to, but they got the biggest one of the game to seal their victory over the Saints.  

2. Darren Sproles 74 Yard Return

Reggie Bush who?

Darren Sproles made the Saints organization and their fans forget all about Bush, who's now with the Miami Dolphins. He returned a punt 74-yards for a touchdown and made what looked to be a momentum shift in favor of the Saints mid-way through the second quarter.   

1. Randall Cobb 108 Yard Return

The play of the day—hands down. 

Packers WR/KR Randall Cobb made his name known to the Green Bay Packers and the rest of the NFL world on this play. In fact, this play was so historic that Cobb tied an NFL record with a 108-yard kickoff return.

Besides the fact that he tied a record, what was so amazing about this play was that halfway through his return it looked like Cobb was basically tackled. He made an amazing spin move and John Kuhn luckily caught him before his fall, lifted him up and let Cobb do the rest.

You really have to see it to believe it.