This week's game was a upsetting one for Green Bay Packer fans. Watching the Saints light it up for 51 points was just disappointing from start to fin...
This week's game was a upsetting one for Green Bay Packer fans. Watching the Saints light it up for 51 points was just disappointing from start to finish,
especially after coming off such a great showing against the Packers' archrivals, the Chicago Bears.
In the end, the outcome of the Saints game was driven by two key statistics,...
Three interceptions thrown by Aaron Rodgers against a New Orleans Saints team that had only recorded seven interceptions to-date. The New Orleans Saints defensive backfield has just not been much of a factor this year. In fact, despite the fantastic showing against the Green Bay Packers, the New Orleans Saints still rank 24th in pass defense.
The other key factor was one the Packers new they'd have to deal with... Drew Brees. His 20 completions for 26 attempts was amazing against a Green Bay Packers defensive backfield that is 2nd in the league in interceptions and 6th in pass defense.
Not only did Brees light it up for 323 yards of passing, he connected for four touchdowns. The New Orleans Saints running game added some key yardage and three more touchdowns, but the New Orleans Saints really didn't rack up that much yardage. The Green Bay Packers basically needed to stop Drew Brees and the passing game, but couldn't get that done.
It's safe to say that this is one game the Packer fans and players alike would just like to forget.
So, we'll move on to talk about the Packers' coming opponent, the Panthers.
Unfortunately, the bad news just gets worse. The Panthers come into this game with the 3rd best record in the league at 8-3. This Carolina Panthers team is a much more rounded and multi-dimensional team than the one-dimension New Orleans Saints that gave the Packers a trouncing on Monday night.
If there's a weakness in the Carolina Panthers you might find it in their passing game. The Panthers rank 22nd in passing. However, much of that is due to their incredible run offense. When you rank 8th in the league in rushing and average 192.1 yards per game, there's no reason to pass the ball.
However, despite not throwing the ball that much Delhomme has found a way to throw 9 interceptions. That's just two interceptions shy of Brees who's Saints have lived on his arm all season. Combine that with Delhomme's 80.5 passer rating and the Packers defensive backs could bounce back and pad their interception stats on Sunday.
Of course, to get a couple picks sixes or even get a few interceptions period, the Green Bay Packers will have to stop a solid and consistent run offense. The Panthers average 192.1 yards a game running the ball and average 4.4 yards per game. That isn't good news for a Green Bay Packer team that's allowing 4.8 yards per play. They will certainly need the Green Bay Packers run defense that showed up to the Bears game to take the field again if they have any hope of pulling off a win.
Against the Carolina Panthers the Green Bay Packers will need to find a way to keep the Carolina Panthers offense off the field, and they're certainly capable of that. The score of the Saints game really made it feel like the Green Bay Packers stunk it up in all phases of the game, but Grant averaged 3.7 yards a carry even though the Green Bay Packers got so far behind they needed to go away from the run game and try passing for quicker scores. And in spite of the fact that Rodgers threw three interceptions, he still found Jennings for 101 yards and a touchdown.
So, once again Packer fans find themselves wondering which Packers team will show up on Sunday.
