Green Bay Packers: Studs and duds from Week 3 vs. Saints
Stud: QB Aaron Rodgers
The long ball returned to Aaron Rodgers’ game this season and it began with some big plays in the 43-34 Week 1 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. In Green Bay’s first two games, he connected on 67.6 percent of his passes for a combined 604 yards and six touchdowns.
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And on Sunday night at the Superdome, he was at it again and pierced the New Orleans Saints’ secondary for numerous long gains. In the club’s 37-20 triumph, the prolific signal-caller hit on 21-of-32 throws for 283 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. In fact, the Packers have not turned over the ball during their 3-0 start.
And it’s worth noting that Rodgers has only been sacked twice in three games.
Dud: Underneath defense
In the first half on Sunday night, the Packer watched Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray combine for 104 yards rushing on just 12 carries. The former gained 49 yards on a first-quarter run that actually set up Kamara’s 11-yard touchdown grab from Drew Brees that gave New Orleans a 7-3 lead.
Green Bay’s run defense has been an issue in recent years and it didn’t help that defensive lineman Kenny Clark was not available and linebacker Christian Kirksey left the game Sunday night. The Packers allowed 122 yards rushing on 20 attempts. Kamara finished with 13 catches for 139 yards and two scores.
It’s an area that coordinator Mike Pettine needs to address once again.