On September 24, the Green Bay Packers hosted the New Orleans Saints in a thrilling game at Lambeau Field. The Packers emerged victorious with an 18-17 win, thanks to an impressive fourth-quarter performance by Jordan Love.
The Saints started strong, taking a commanding 17-0 lead into halftime. However, their momentum was halted when quarterback Derek Carr suffered a shoulder injury in the third quarter and had to be taken to a Green Bay hospital for further evaluation.
Making his first start at Lambeau Field, Love showcased his skills by completing 22 of 44 passes for 259 yards. He threw one touchdown pass but also had his first interception of the season. Despite the interception, Love’s performance was instrumental in the Packers’ comeback.
Carr had a solid outing before his injury, completing 13 of 18 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown to Jimmy Graham in the first quarter. Unfortunately, his game was cut short when he was sacked by linebacker Rashan Gary, resulting in a shoulder injury.
Jameis Winston replaced Carr and completed 10 of 16 passes for 101 yards. Wide receiver Chris Olave had an impressive game, finishing with eight catches for 104 yards.
The third quarter remained scoreless for both teams, but the Packers finally got on the board with a 38-yard field goal by Anders Carlson, reducing the Saints’ lead to 17-3.
The Packers’ comeback gained momentum when Love capitalized on defensive pass interference penalties by the Saints, leading an 80-yard drive that ended with Love rushing for a 1-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal. Love’s successful two-point conversion pass to Samori Toure brought the Packers within striking distance at 17-11.
With 2:56 left in the game, Love orchestrated another 80-yard drive and connected with Romeo Doubs for an 8-yard touchdown pass, giving the Packers the lead for the first time. The Saints had a chance to respond, but rookie kicker Blake Grupe missed a 46-yard field goal attempt with 1:05 remaining.
The Saints’ only first-half touchdown came from Carr’s 8-yard pass to Graham, giving them a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. They extended their lead to 14-0 in the second quarter with Rashid Shaheed’s impressive 76-yard punt return. Grupe added a 25-yard field goal just before halftime, increasing the Saints’ lead to 17-0.
In the end, the Packers’ resilience and Love’s impressive performance secured them the victory. It was a hard-fought game that showcased the determination and skill of both teams.
–Field Level Media
