NFL fans could not have asked for a better start to the 2011 season after Thursday’s opening game between the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints considering the game lived up to all of the hype and provided plenty of excitement leading up to the final play of the game. While the Packers went on to win 42-34, both teams looked impressive and showed the rest of the league why they’re considered strong contenders not just in the NFC, but for the Super Bowl as well.
Here are five key factors from the Packers win over the Saints from opening night:
Aaron Rodgers Displays Impressive First Half
When Week 1 comes to an official end Monday night, there’s a good chance that Aaron Rodgers will have performed better than most of the starting quarterbacks in the first half alone against the Saints. Rodgers had no trouble picking apart the Saints’ defense after completing 18 of 24 passes for 227 yards to go along with three touchdown passes (all of which came in the first quarter). Everybody knew Rodgers was a strong MVP candidate heading into the 2011 season after winning the Super Bowl in February and if he can play at that high of a level against New Orleans–imagine what Rodgers can do against other teams.
Drew Brees Looks Sharp
Despite the loss and constant pressure from the Packers’ defense throughout the game, the Saints have to be pleased with how Drew Brees performed on opening night and he appears to be ready for another big 2011 season. Brees completed 32 of 49 passes for 419 yards with three touchdowns and even almost led the team to a late score at the end of the game that could have tied the game. If New Orleans was smart, they would work on getting that delayed new long-term deal with Brees done as quickly as possible.
Randall Cobb Makes Phenomenal Debut
There have been numerous impressive debuts over the last few years by rookies–but it’s difficult to find a debut performance better than the one Randall Cobb had for the Packers against the Saints. Not only did his first career reception result in a 32-yard touchdown, but the former Kentucky standout tied an NFL record with a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter (which when you see the replay–it’s pretty impressive considering how he managed to stay on his feet). It may have just been one game, but considering Cobb in the second round last April–this could turn out to be one of the biggest steals of the draft this season.
Saints Should Have Kicked In Third Quarter
Down 35-27 late in the third quarter, the Saints found themselves in a difficult situation during a 4th and inches situation from the Green Bay 7 and ended up going for it–which they failed to convert after Brees was swamped with an enormous amount of pressure from the Packers’ defense and couldn’t find any receiver open in time. By kicking the chip shot, New Orleans would have been down five and it could have played a huge factor in the outcome of the game had Mark Ingram found the end zone during that last play of the game.
Forget Reggie Bush–Darren Sproles Is a Great Addition For Saints
Numerous times throughout the game, it seemed like Green Bay had a difficult time trying to figure out a way to contain Darren Sproles. While he wasn’t really effective in the ground game, Sproles did some damage with short catches (seven receptions for 75 yards) and came up big in the second quarter with a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown. If he can manage to play this well throughout the season, Sproles may turn out to be the best offseason addition for the Saints.
Dan Parzych is the Lead NFL Content Editor for www.RantSports.com/NFL, where he writes and edits NFL content for www.RantSports.com.
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