The New Orleans Saints (2-0) are on the road again this week with a big conference matchup against the Green Bay Packers (1-1) rapidly approaching. Green Bay is coming off a tough-to-swallow fourth quarter collapse against the Atlanta Falcons last week, who are normally on the receiving end of these kind of things.
And the Packers are looking awfully vulnerable. They’re dealing with injuries to multiple starters (and in some cases at the same position group) with an inexperienced quarterback under center.
Buy Saints TicketsBut let’s get to know this Packers team a little better. Packers Wire managing editor Zach Kruse came through with a big assist to recap what went wrong for Green Bay last week and what Saints fans can expect on Sunday:
Week 2 recap (Lost, 25-14 at Falcons)
Behind three touchdown passes from Jordan Love, the short-handed Packers — who were without Aaron Jones, David Bakhtiari and Christian Watson — built a 24-12 lead entering the fourth quarter in Atlanta. But everything fell apart over the final 15 minutes. Love went 0-for-6 passing and botched a quarterback sneak, the Packers failed to gain a first down and gained only seven yards on 10 offensive plays, and the defense allowed 166 total yards across three scoring drives during the fourth quarter as the Falcons erased the 12-point deficit and won, 25-24. Younghoe Koo kicked a short field goal to give the Falcons the lead with under a minute to go, and Love threw four straight incomplete passes to end the contest. It was a tough, disappointing defeat featuring too many squandered opportunities. The blown lead cost the Packers a chance to start the season 2-0 on the road.
What went right, what went wrong for Packers in Week 2
For the second straight week, Jordan Love tossed three touchdown passes, didn’t have a turnover and finished with a passer rating over 100.0. He hit rookie Jayden Reed twice for a pair of scores, and rookie Dontayvion Wicks made an incredible individual play on a 32-yard score. Despite using a makeshift offensive line, especially after losing Elgton Jenkins, the Packers still protected Love well enough.
Overall, scoring 24 points should have been enough to win the game. But a lot went wrong, especially late. A.J. Dillon averaged only 3.7 yards per attempt and the Packers run defense allowed 211 rushing, highlighting big issues at the line of scrimmage. The fourth quarter was completely dominated by the Falcons. A veteran Packers defense made execution error after execution error and eventually wore down late. No lead is safe when a team plays as poorly as the Packers did during the fourth quarter.
Week 2 standout to know for Packers
Rookie receiver Jayden Reed keeps making plays. He delivered important third-down catches and a big punt return in Week 1 and followed up his debut with a pair of touchdowns against the Falcons. On both scores, Reed showcased his speed. Matt LaFleur ran him on a jet motion pop pass on the first, and Reed sprung into the flat off play-action on the second. Even if Christian Watson returns in Week 3, expect LaFleur to use Reed as a weapon from the slot. His matchup against cornerback Alontae Taylor is one to watch. Jordan Love is already building trust in the rookie in big spots.
Week 3 player to watch for Packers
OLB Preston Smith. Saints left tackle Trevor Penning has given up 10 pressures in two weeks, providing an opportunity for Smith to really impact the game on obvious passing downs. It will be interesting to see if the Packers give Rashan Gary any opportunities to rush from the right side (or against the left tackle) in Week 3. The entire Packers front against the Saints offensive line is a matchup to watch given how disruptive the Packers can be and how up-and-down the Saints have been protecting Derek Carr to start 2023.
preston smith
Speaking of the offensive line, the Packers are dealing with their own issues. All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari couldn’t go in Week 2 due to swelling in his surgically repaired knee, while Pro Bowl left guard Elgton Jenkins exited with what should be a multi-week knee injury. The Packers started second-year left tackle Rasheed Walker in place of Bakhtiari last week, and third-year guard Royce Newman took over for Jenkins. Can that pair handle the Saints front in Week 3? It’s possible the Packers shuffle some things along the offensive line to get the best five together, but that group has a big challenge in front of them on Sunday.
