A pass interference call in the endzone on A.J. Hawk on what would have been the final play of the game, gave the Saints one more chance on the Green Bay one.
The Saints chose to give the ball to Mark Ingram who was stuffed at the line by a host of Packers, including Charles Woodson, who came over the line to make the stop.
Fourth Quarter, 1:08, Packers 42-34: The Saints will have a chance. After a failed onside kick, the Packers did go three and out and were forced to punt.
It was a beautiful punt by Tim Masthay, but Jarrett Bush, who caught the punt to down it at the 1, was ruled to drift into the endzone.
So, the Saints take over down by eight with 1:08 to play.
Fourth Quarter, 2:20, Packers 42-34: We've still got a ballgame.
Drew Brees just orchestrated a pretty impressive drive with a couple of key third-down conversion, including the drive's touchdown score.
Brees pumped fake to the sideline, faked a hand-off and then found Jimmy Graham for the score.
Fourth Quarter, 5:35, Packers 42-27: A lot has been made about the return of some key players who were injured last season for the Packers. We're seeing a little bit of that right now, as the return of Ryan Grant has further stabilized the Green Bay running game.
It just allowed the Packers to chew off some precious time before they were finally forced to punt away.
The Saints need two scores in less than six minutes.
Fourth Quarter, 10:27, Packers 42-27: More often than not, it's the big-play defenses that win Super Bowls. We saw that last year with the Packers, and we're seeing it on Thursday night, as well.
This time, it was another big sack on third-and-long that gives the ball back to the Packers. Randall Cobb almost broke another touchdown, but was pulled down just inside Saints territory. Wouldn't have mattered if he took it to the house, though, as a penalty brings it back.
Fourth Quarter, 11:50, Packers 42-27: John Kuhn is something of a cult hero in Green Bay, and really, it's for good reason.
Not only is his name fun to cheer, but he's a bruiser, a throwback if you will. The bruising fullback just gave Green Bay some breathing room, as he rumbled in for a 1-yard touchdown run.
Not to state the obvious, but to totally state the obvious, this kind of a big drive for the Saints.
Fourth Quarter, 13:50, Packers 35-27: We're just seconds into the fourth quarter, but the Saints have already used their second time out of the half.
It was needed, however, as the Packers are driving again and Aaron Rodgers looks like he has found something of a rhythm again.
Ball at New Orleans' 14.
Third Quarter, 3:00, Packers 35-27: The Packers can be relentless on the pass rush, and they were just that at the most crucial time right there.
Facing a 4th-and-inches from inside the red zone, Sean Payton opted to go for it. The Packers, however, chased Brees seemingly to midfield before he let go a desperation toss to a running back that fell incomplete anyway.
Pack takes over at their own 5ish.
Third Quarter, 6:07, Packers 35-27: Whoa, a punt.
The Packers punt it away, and you guessed it, Darren Sproles, puts a good return on it. He's making Saints fans forget Reggie Bush very quickly, although, do they really need help doing so?
Either way, the Saints take over at the Green Bay 49.
Third Quarter, 7:00, Packers 35-27: Frantic pace. Can't keep up with typing.
Darren Sproles, who is having a helluva game in his New Orleans debut gave the Saints some great field position after Cobb's TD. Drew Brees didn't waste that field position, either.
The Saints needed just three plays to cash in, as the QB hooked up with Devery Henderson for a 29-yard score.
Packers still leading 35-27. Exhale.
Third Quarter, 8:26, Packers 35-20: So much for that new kickoff rule, huh?
On the ensuing kickoff, the Saints kicked deep into the Green Bay endzone for what should have been the 38th touchback of the game.
Rookie Randall Cobb would have none of that taking the kick 8 yards deep and then taking it 108 yards back the other way for a touchdown.
I'm calling that the play of the year so far. Going out on a limb, for sure.
Crushing blow for the Saints, though.
Third Quarter, 8:40, Packers 28-20: Green Bay defensive coordinator Dom Capers is going to find plenty of things to pick apart in the game film from this one. One thing he will like, however, is his team's defensive stop right there.
Erik Walden, wearing Gilbert Brown's old No. 93, came unblocked on the outside to wrestle Brees down on a 3rd-and-2 in the red zone.
Thus, the Saints had to settle for a field goal.
Third Quarter, 10:00, Packers 28-17: So far, so good for the Saints in the second half. The big story in the first was Aaron Rodgers doing whatever he wanted, but that may have caused us to overlook the fact that the Saints are moving the ball at will really.
The ball is deep in Green Bay territory now.
Third Quarter, 15:00, Packers 28-17: The second half is under way, and the Saints have the ball. Your move, Mr. Brees.
Halftime, Packers 28-17: The NFL is back, and you couldn't have asked for more in the first game of the 2011 season.
The Packers and Saints — the league's last two Super Bowl winners are locked up in a shootout in Green Bay with the scoreboard lights being lit up at a franctic pace.
Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers has looked like a quarterback with something to prove early on, torching the New Orleans defense to the tune of 227 yards and three touchdowns. Those are darn good numbers for the game, let alone the first half.
Of course, with 30 minutes to play, this one is far from over, especially with Drew Brees and the Saints offense.
