Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Green Bay 20 at New Orleans 35 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Green Bay Packers: RB Ahman Green played well but fumbled during a crucial part of the game that caused the Packers to start throwing the ball more to catch up with the Saints. Green left the game and did not return with an injury with 10:34 left in the 4th quarter. He seemed capable of returning but Green Bay left Rondell Mealey in the game. QB Brett Favre spread the ball around to his receivers but was hit on nearly every pass attempt. Favre is still forcing the ball into coverage when losing and getting pressure. WR Terry Glenn was a target very often in the game with crossing and quick patterns. Glenn came down with a tough catch in the end zone for a 14 yard TD. New Orleans Saints: RB Deuce McAllister played great again with a 62 yard run that lead to a TD and a 50 yard run for a TD that was called back for holding. McAllister finished the day with 123 yards rushing with 2 TDs. Seems to have filled the void left by Ricky Williams by running with speed and power. WR Joe Horn is clearly the go to guy and will find a way to get Horn the ball several times a game. QB Aaron Brooks had a lot of time to set up and throw. In the Red Zone, the Saints were running spread formations that allowed Brooks the option of throwing or running for the score, this alone may vulture some TDs from McAllister. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Green Bay Packers QB: Brett Favre - Spread the ball around with 9 different receivers catching passes. The Saints placed a lot of pressure on Favre and he began forcing the ball to avoid sacks and that lead to an INT. Favre threw the ball well and hit mostly on short passes to the WRs and RBs. WR: Terry Glenn - Ran a lot of crossing patterns and quick patterns for yards. Glenn made a very tough catch on the 14 yard TD. Donald Driver- Played well but wasn't targeted as much as Glenn. Driver's 26 yard TD came from a blown coverage by the Saints' defense. RB: Ahman Green - Ran excellent inside by running with speed to the hole, cutting into the hole, and powering through defenders. Green fumbled the ball late in the first half, which started the process of the Packers throwing the ball more to get back into the game. Caught a lot of passes in the second half as he was often open underneath for solid gains. Green left the game with an injury with 10:34 left in the game. He appeared capable of returning but the Packers went with backup RB Rondell Mealey. TE: Bubba Franks - Was unspectacular with only 1 catch and 4 targets including one where he never turned around for the pass. Packers Run Defense: Played horribly by not shedding blocks to get to the RB. The defense allowed Deuce McAllister to get 5.9 yards per carry and allowed a run of 62 yards and a run of 50 yards for a TD that was called back for holding. Packers Pass Defense: Disguised coverages to fool Aaron Brooks into throwing an INT. The Saints picked on Safety Antuan Edwards early in the game for a long 40 yard catch to Joe Horn. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** New Orleans Saints QB: Aaron Brooks - Had a ton of time to settle in the pocket and go through his progressions to make completions. Brooks targeted Joe Horn early and often as Horn had over 100 yards receiving in the first half. In the second half, Brooks threw into a disguised coverage for 1 INT and threw another testing a DB deep. WR: Joe Horn - Was clearly the go to guy as he had over 100 yards receiving in the first half but ended only with 120 yards receiving. A lead and McAllister running well allowed the Saints to stop throwing the ball in the second half and that held down Horn's numbers. Jerome Pathon - Was targeted 6 times, mostly running deeper patterns, but only came down with 2 receptions and a TD. Donte Stallworth - Played well as the 3rd WR catching all 4 passes thrown in his direction. Stallworth caught a WR Screen and took it the distance for a 34 yard TD but his other catches were for around 8 yard gains. RB: Deuce McAllister - Ran the Saints power running game to perfection finishing the day with 123 yards and 2 TDs while running out the clock for most of the game. McAllister made several big plays including a 62 yard run that lead to a 2 yard score and had another 50 yard run for a TD called back for holding. Terrelle Smith - Snagged a goal line run from a spread offense but was stuffed on his attempt. TE: David Sloan - Had 2 passes thrown to him and catching 1 for 20 yards but was mainly a big body that opened holes for McAllister. Saints Run Defense: Very average allowing Ahman Green to get 4.8 yards per carry for 81 yards. Saints Pass Defense: Pressured Brett Favre the most of the game and but him on his back on many pass plays but only came away with 1 sack. In the second half, the Saints played very soft coverage to keep the Packers from getting long gains but allowed a lot of dump off passes underneath.