GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – In a game that did not start the way many Packers fans hoped, Green Bay delivered a strong second half to defeat the New Orleans Saints 18-17.
The Packers offense struggled in the first half to move the ball against a Saints defense that has not allowed more than 20 points in a game over their last ten games. To begin the game, the Packers had two failed fourth-down plays and committed penalties on six consecutive possessions. They also allowed the Saints to score on a punt return for a touchdown.
Their misfortunes turned in the 4th quarter, though, after Love drove the team down the field on three consecutive scoring drives, including two 80-yard marches, while the defense allowed only one point in the second half.
One of the most pivotal decisions of the game came after the Packers scored a touchdown, making the score 17-9, and instead of going for the extra point, head coach Matt Lafleur made the decision to go for two to bring the score to just a six-point game.
“Well,” started LaFleur, “I’ve got this guy Connor Lewis in my ear non-stop telling me, ‘Go for two, go for two.’ To be honest with you, I didn’t feel great about the play call, and then the execution definitely was not how we practiced it, but I had a lot of belief in the way our quarterback was playing. He was making off-schedule plays.
With 5:23 remaining, the Packers defense forced a second straight three-and-out, giving the offense the ball back while still down six. Love scrambled for a massive 24-yard run on third-and-1, moving Green Bay into scoring position. Two plays later, he found Jayden Reed for 30 yards, and not long after, Love connected with Doubs in the end zone for the game-tying touchdown, followed by a Carlson extra point.
TOUCHDOWN!
#NOvsGB | #GoPackGo
: FOX pic.twitter.com/7THJuT36gQ
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 24, 2023
The Saints would drive down the field, getting the team into field goal range for rookie kicker Blake Grupe, who would miss from 46 yards, clinching the Packers victory.
“The resiliency of that locker room is incredible,” said LaFleur. “I have never seen anything like it. It’s hard not to get too emotional about it. But I just can’t say enough great things about this group in terms of their mentality. Their belief in one another The way they work”
“It was like a nightmare that went to a dream,” LaFleur continued. “I can’t even remember the fourth quarter; it was a blur.”
Overall, Love was 22 for 44 for 259 yards with a touchdown and an interception on Sunday. For the majority of the game, the Packers receivers had trouble making contested catches, and Love bounced back in the fourth quarter, completing seven of his 18 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. He also gained 25 rushing yards.
Other notable stars from the game included pass rusher Rashan Gary, who led the defensive effort with three key sacks in his first full game back from injury, and rookie tight end Luke Musgrave, who had six catches for 49 yards on the day.
The Packers will now have a short week ahead of them as they stay in Green Bay to take on the Lions (2-1) on Thursday night at 7:15 p.m. on Amazon Prime.
