The Packers blew-out the Saints yesterday, their 34-0 victory their widest margin of victory in a decade, since a 41-point victory over the Bears in 2014. The Saints, as we recall, had a mindboggling start to the season, scoring 91 points in their first two games, but have lost 10 of 13 since. Spencer Rattler wasn’t their starting quarterback then, but Derek Carr turned out to be a fluke, since he was just mainly “there” for the ride, although to be “fair” he started in all five of their victories this seasons. Injuries of course bit him, and in came rookie Rattler, who has played in five games, started four and lost them all. The Saints threw in another no-name named Jake Haener, who was relieved by Rattler to no effect in another loss.
So the Packers winning in their most convincing fashion this season, at home, was no surprise. The ease in which the Packers handled the Saints is borne out by the fact that nobody on the team had particularly impressive stats, with everyone getting a piece of the action (nine players had rushing stats, 10 at least had a pass thrown in their direction) and even Malik got a chance to complete a 34-yard pass. On defense, Keisean Nixon, who mainly does kick returns but occasionally plays cornerback, even forced his fourth career fumble to go along with his three career interceptions in 89 games.
The main point of this game is that this was another win for the most dominant division in the NFL by most counts, with the Lions and the Vikings tied atop the NFC North with 13-2 records and the Packers with a playoff appearance locked up with an 11-4 record. Stephen A. Smith doesn’t think the Packers are the third best team in the NFC, and I’m not sure why anyone would since the Eagles are 12-3 and they beat the Packers in that Brazil game. On the other hand, Mike Tannenbaum sees the Packers as Super Bowl contenders and why not? Where there is a will there is a way; just ask the Chiefs, whose 14-1 record is masked by the fact that 11 of those wins were by a touchdown or less.
As hard as it is to see sometimes, Jordan Love has seen some slight in improvement in his play compared to last season, but not enough to light the world on fire, or so says Smith. What has been carrying the team of late is a defense that is finally finding its feet under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley who prefers the old-fashioned 4-3 combination, and the defense has responded by forcing more takeaways since 2011. The defense allowing just 196 yards of offense for the Saints is impressive even against a team not all there. It is something you would expect from a better team.
No doubt the true test of where the Packers are at is if they can win a game against their principle division rivals and not merely come “close.” Next week is on the road against the Vikings; their quarterback, Sam Darnold, who was only supposed be the “stand-in” for J.J. McCarthy until he blew-out his knee in training camp. Darnold had a 21-35 record as starter with the Jets and Panthers, but when you have a team with playmakers, then you should be expected to take advantage of that. The Packers will be missing Christian Watson to injury (again), but this will be their chance to prove to doubters that they are the “real deal.”
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