- Final0CAR
ATL28
3028
30 - Final1NE
BUF52
2852
28 - Final2MIN
DET20
1320
13 - Final3SD
KC37
2037
20 - Final4SEA
STL13
1913
19 - Final5SF
NYJ34
034
0 - Final6TEN
HOU14
3814
38 - Final7OAK
DEN6
376
37 - Final OTOT8MIA
ARI21
2421
24 - Final9CIN
JAC27
1027
10 - Final10NO
GB27
2827
28 - Final11WSH
TB24
2224
22 - Final12NYG
PHI17
1917
19 - Final13CLE
BAL16
2316
23 - Final14CHI
DAL34
1834
18
Final
Coverage: FOX
4:25 PM ET, September 30, 2012
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Top Performers
Passing: D. Brees (NO) - 446 YDS, 3 TD
Rushing: C. Benson (GB) - 18 CAR, 84 YDS
Receiving: M. Colston (NO) - 9 REC, 153 YDS, 1 TD
The Green Bay Packers are seething about a call that cost them a victory in their last game.
The New Orleans Saints have been upset at the league for quite some time but have no one to blame but themselves for their winless start.
Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees each threw three touchdown passes in last year's entertaining season opener between these clubs, but 2011 may feel like a long time ago for teams that have combined for one victory heading into Sunday's matchup at Lambeau Field.
The story of Week 3 became Green Bay's 14-12 loss at Seattle on Monday night on Golden Tate's 24-yard TD catch as time expired. The NFL said Tuesday that the wrong call was made because Tate should have been whistled for offensive pass interference, although it still appeared that Packers safety M.D. Jennings had clear control of the ball in the end zone.
Replacement officials appeared to rule simultaneous possession, giving Tate the touchdown.
The Packers (1-2) were furious with the turn of events, and Rodgers vented on his weekly radio show.
"I just feel bad for the fans," Rodgers said. "They pay good money and the game is being tarnished by an NFL who obviously cares more about saving a little money then having the integrity of the game diminish a little bit."
Coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged the difficult set of circumstances, saying the team returned after the long flight to a scene of protesting Green Bay fans. He also insisted that the Packers are looking forward to using the short week to prepare for the 0-3 Saints.
"We need to stay focused," McCarthy said. "We're not going to get any help. I know this is going to be a story that everybody wants to continue to talk about, and frankly I'm not going to act like it's not there. This is a play that I'm sure we'll see on TV as we move on in our lives. That's the facts of our business, that's the beauty of what Steve Sabol has created, God rest his soul.
"The fact of the matter is we're about New Orleans. We're in tune with staying true to the integrity of the Green Bay Packers, how we conduct ourselves, being professional during a tough time, during a challenge."
Brees and the Saints were critical of the NFL throughout the offseason for the ruling that has caused the season-long suspensions of coach Sean Payton and linebacker Jonathan Vilma, as well as shorter bans to others found culpable in the bounty investigation.
New Orleans, however, is tired of using the suspensions as an excuse. The Saints, who fell 27-24 in overtime last Sunday at home to lowly Kansas City, last started this poorly when they began 0-4 in 2007.
"We're definitely struggling a little bit," guard Jahri Evans said. "Sean Payton is a big part of this team since I've been here, but he's not here now, so that's something we can't dwell on or expect him to walk through the door because it's not going to happen. We have to just go out there and get it done."
Brees is tied for fourth in the league with 904 passing yards, but he's been uneven with seven touchdowns to five interceptions.
The Saints ranked sixth in the league with 132.9 rushing yards per game last season but are down to 92.7 for the 22nd-best mark this year.
"We're definitely still trying to find our rhythm," Brees said. "Unfortunately we haven't been able to put it together on a consistent basis."
These were the league's top scoring teams a year ago, with Green Bay averaging 35.0 points and New Orleans 34.2.
The Saints are still averaging 27.7 per game, but the Packers are down to a mere 19.0. Rodgers has been sacked more than anyone, going down eight times in the first half Monday to bring that season total to 16.
The reigning league MVP had 45 touchdown passes a season ago but has managed three in 2012.
"Clearly the Seattle game was different than the first two as our offense (and) what they were challenged with," McCarthy said. "The first two games, I'd say they challenged us to run the ball. Particularly Monday night we were challenged to throw the ball. We didn't handle that very well."
The Packers won last season's meeting 42-34. Brees threw for 419 yards while Rodgers completed 27 of 35 passes for 312.
The previous meeting between these quarterbacks came before both captured their Super Bowl MVPs. Brees threw for four touchdowns and 323 yards in a 51-29 home win in 2008.
More from ESPN.com
Fox: Trask was a pioneer
Amy Trask's departure from Oakland is a huge loss for the Raiders and the NFL, Ashley Fox writes.
Rodgers wants Pack to retire Favre's No. 4
Aaron Rodgers said Wednesday that it's time for the "healing process to begin" between the Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre, adding that he hopes the quarterback's No. 4 can be retired by the team before he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Back in black: Woodson signs with Raiders
Free agent defensive back Charles Woodson has agreed to a deal with the Oakland Raiders.
Reilly: My top 20 NFL coaches
Rick Reilly submits his ballot for the top 20 coaches in NFL history. He lets you see whom he voted for and whom he didn't.
ESPN Local
Woman accused of wielding garden gnome in domestic assault
GULFPORT, Fla., May 23 (UPI) -- Florida police said a woman accused of domestic battery allegedly used a garden gnome decked out in New Orleans Saints gear to strike a man in the head. Gulfport police said Lisa Buckley, 47, arrived home around 4:17 p.m.
Green Bay Packers sign ex-Eastern Michigan quarterback Alex Gillett
Move over Aaron Rodgers, there's a new quarterback in town...sort of. Former Eastern Michigan University quarterback Alex Gillett has signed with the Green Bay Packers the team announced on Wednesday. Rodgers, a former NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion nee
Randall Cobb on track to be Packers' go-to receiver
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb set a franchise record and led the NFL with 2,342 all-purpose yards last season. If not for a late-season ankle injury, he might have become the first player in NFL history with 1,000 yards apiece receiving an
With a 3-0 Series Lead, Are Boston Bruins Finally Ready to Finish New York Rangers Without Drama?
Brett Favre was loved by the Green Bay Packers faithful. Then Favre came out of retirement twice, and played for the New York Jets and the Minnesota Vikings. Playing for the Vikings really hurt Packers fans and many are still bitter about his decision. C
SPONSORED HEADLINES
Scouting Report
Saints-Packers: What to watch
After watching film of both teams, Scouts Inc. breaks down key elements of the Week 4 Saints-Packers matchup.
• Block Clay Matthews: Matthews is playing at an unbelievable level right now. The Packers will move him all over the formation to find matchups to their liking, but the reality is, there isn't a member of the Saints' offense who can handle him one-on-one. Rushing him from Drew Brees' blind side could be extremely effective since Jermon Bushrod has struggled mightily this season. But the offensive line as a whole has let the Saints down thus far.
Recent Blog Posts
Matchup
NO | GB | |
|---|---|---|
| W-L | 0-4 | 2-2 |
| Avg Points | 27.5 | 21.3 |
| Avg Points Allowed | 32.5 | 20.3 |
| Home Record | 0-2 | 2-1 |
| Road Record | 0-2 | 0-1 |
| Division Record | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Conference Record | 0-3 | 2-2 |
| Complete Standings | ||
Passing Leaders
| New Orleans | CMP% | YDS | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Brees | 63.0 | 5177 | 43 | 19 |
| C. Daniel | 100.0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Green Bay | CMP% | YDS | TD | INT |
| A. Rodgers | 67.2 | 4295 | 39 | 8 |
| T. Masthay | 50.0 | 27 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing Leaders
| New Orleans | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Ingram | 156 | 602 | 3.9 | 5 | |
| P. Thomas | 105 | 473 | 4.5 | 1 | |
| Green Bay | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | |
| A. Green | 135 | 464 | 3.4 | 0 | |
| A. Rodgers | 54 | 259 | 4.8 | 2 | |
Receiving Leaders
| New Orleans | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Colston | 83 | 1154 | 13.9 | 10 | |
| L. Moore | 65 | 1041 | 16.0 | 6 | |
| Green Bay | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | |
| R. Cobb | 80 | 954 | 11.9 | 8 | |
| J. Jones | 64 | 784 | 12.3 | 14 | |
Team Averages & NFL Ranks
| TEAM OFFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | NO | |
| GB | ||
| Yards Passing | NO | |
| GB | ||
| Yards Rushing | NO | |
| GB | ||
| TEAM DEFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
| Yards Allowed | NO | |
| GB | ||
| Pass Yds Allowed | NO | |
| GB | ||
| Rush Yds Allowed | NO | |
| GB |
Head to Head Matchups (Since 2001)
| Series tied 3-3 | |
|---|---|
| Sep 8, 2011 | NO 34, @GB 42 |
| Nov 24, 2008 | NO 51, GB 29 |
| Sep 17, 2006 | NO 34, @GB 27 |
| Oct 9, 2005 | NO 3, @GB 52 |
| Sep 15, 2002 | NO 35, GB 20 |
Research Notes
The Saints used five or more pass rushers on 49.8 percent of opponent dropbacks from 2009 to 2011 under Gregg Williams, highest in the NFL. This season, the Saints are using such pressure just 30.9 percent of the time, and are struggling when doing so. Aaron Rodgers has the best Total QBR (79.7) when facing five or more pass rushers since the start of 2009, throwing 35 more touchdowns than interceptions (46-11). [+]Saints Defense by No. of Pass Rushers - This Season
Close [X] | |||||||||||||||||||||
From Elias: Spinning the Packers' loss forward, this week Green Bay hosts the Saints. Can the Packers turn it around and avoid a hangover? Recent history would suggest they can. [+]Best Record After a Loss
Close [X] | |||||||||||||||||||||
ESPN Stats & Information | |||||||||||||||||||||



