Pre-season finale a 38-10 victory for the Packers over the Saints at Lambeau Field
GREEN BAY -- It was a clear night and 75 degrees at 6:00 p.m. at Lambeau Field on Thursday, September 3rd as the Packers and Saints kicked off the final pre-season matchup. 73,863 fans were in attendance to watch the pre-season finale, Packers officials say.
The Packers are 1-2 in the pre-season -- and the Saints are 0-3. The Packers lost their pre-season home opener last Saturday, August 29th vs. the Eagles (39-26).
On Thursday evening, the Packers won the coin toss and opted to take possession of the ball as the game began.
QB Scott Tolzien got the start for the Packers in this final pre-season matchup.
The first score of the game came early in the first quarter -- with a seven-yard pass to from Saints QB Luke McCown to Willie Snead.
The score was then 7-0 Saints with 10:36 left to go in the first.
The scoring drive consisted of six plays for 85 yards in 2:45.
With under three minutes left go in the first quarter, Saints kicker Dustin Hopkins completed a 21-yard field goal -- making it 10-0 Saints. This, after a Saints pass on third and goal was incomplete.
There were 13 plays for 58 yards in six-and-a-half minutes in this scoring drive.
With seconds left to go in the first quarter, the refs called "roughing the passer" on the Saints. That, plus a pass to Mike Neal moved the Packers across the midfield.
The score was 10-0 Saints as the second quarter began.
A pass to Packers' Andrew Quarless put the green and gold in the red zone early in the second quarter.
But then came an interception. Saints' defensive back Kyle Wilson picked off Scott Tolzien's pass intended for Myles White.
The New Orleans Saints were forced to punt thanks to a tackle on the run and a pass breakup by Quinten Rollins, and then, Packers wide receiver Jared Abbrederis touched the ball for the very first time as a professional on the punt return.
Abbrederis was able to slip multiple tackles -- and pick up 17 yards for the Pack.
Abbrederis was drafted by the Packers in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, and he is from Wautoma.
Later in the second quarter, Abbrederis made his first NFL reception on third down -- but he was short of the marker. The Packers would then attempt a field goal.
With 10 minutes to go in the second quarter, fifth-round draft pick Brett Hundley took over for Scott Tolzien as QB for the Pack.
A field goal by Packers' Mason Crosby put the green and gold on the scoreboard in the second quarter.
The score was then 10-3 -- with the Saints in the lead.
There was more action for Abbrederis with about 3:00 to go in the second quarter -- a 10-yard punt return. The Packers would then start on their own 44 yard line.
With less than one minute to go in the first half, the Packers scored their first touchdown of the game -- with a 14-yard pass from Brett Hundley to wide receiver Jeff Janis.
Crosby tied the game with the extra point -- Saints 10, Packers 10.
Ahead of halftime at Lambeau Field, the Packers defense had its third "three-and-out" of the game. The Saints then punted the ball, and Abbrederis fumbled the punt return.
The Saints recovered the ball, but New Orleans was called for a penalty -- and had to re-kick the punt.
That punt went out-of-bounds, with just four seconds left in the first half.
With four seconds left in the first half, Crosby attempted a 66-yard field goal -- which was unsuccessful.
The Saints recovered the ball and started the second half on their own 10 yard line.
The Packers scored a touchdown in the third quarter with a 77-yard pass from QB Brett Hundley to wide receiver Larry Pinkard -- and the Packers were up for the first time in this game.
With Crosby's extra point, the Packers were in the lead -- 17-10 with 10:54 left in the third quarter.
This, after the Saints punted -- and Abbrederis returned the punt, but got tripped up from behind.
The Packers started the drive on their own 15 yard line.
With just over three minutes to go in the third quarter, Packers linebacker was able to sack Saints QB Garrett Grayson. This, after the Packers went three-and-out for the fourth time this game, and the Saints took a 'fair catch' of the punt to start on their on 17 yard line.
A 53-yard field goal try by the Saints was wide right -- and the Packers would then take over, still leading the game 17-10 with 3:10 left in the third quarter.
With just seconds to go in the third quarter, Packers Tim Masthay's punt went out-of-bounds at the eight yard line.
Then, there was an interception as Packers cornerback Tay Glover-Wright was able to pick off a deflection.
It was Packers' ball, with great field position, as the fourth quarter began.
Early in the fourth quarter, a five-yard pass from QB Brett Hundley to wide receiver Myles White, and then a touchdown for the Packers -- but that touchdown was called back after a penalty was called on the Packers.
Packers fullback Aaron Ripkowski made the TD reception.
It was then fourth-and-goal for the Packers. Hundley then tossed a two-yard pass to the wide open Myles White for a touchdown.
This was Hundley's third TD pass of the night.
With Crosby's extra point, the score was 24-10, with the Packers leading early in the fourth quarter.
Hundley's fourth TD pass of the night came around the seven-minute mark in the fourth quarter. This, after a pass to Myles White that picked up big yardage for the Pack and a Saints penalty on the next play that had the Packers nearing the red zone. Hundley then tossed a pass to White on fourth down -- and that meant a TD from three yards out.
Crosby's extra point made the score Packers 31, Saints 10 with 7:11 left to play.
Shortly after that TD, Packers safety Chris Banjo was able to pick off a pass and make an interception -- and it was Packers ball with six-and-a-half to play.
With about two minutes left in the game, Packers running back John Crockett made a 15-yard run for a touchdown. This, after a pass from Hundley to tight end Kennard Backman that put the Packers in the red zone.
The score was 38-10 (with Crosby's extra point) with 2:03 to play.
The game ended with a Saints fail on fourth down, and the Packers then took over, with 1:01 left in the game.
The Packers were kneeling on it as the final seconds of the pre-season ticked away.
This game was a Green Bay Packers victory. The final score: 38 to 10.
The victory makes the Packers 2-2 in the pre-season.
---
Last Saturday, there were eight special teams penalties as the Packers faced the Eagles -- and three Packers players were injured.
Wide receiver Randall Cobb suffered a shoulder injury, right tackle Brian Bulaga suffered an ankle injury, and return specialist Micah Hyde was carted off to the locker room with a neck injury.
Jordy Nelson is out for the season with that knee injury he suffered as the Packers took on the Steelers on August 23rd -- pre-season Week Two.
The Packers play their first game of the regular season on Sunday, September 13th vs. the Chicago Bears in Chicago.