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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Zach Kruse

Instant analysis and recap of Packers’ 18-17 win over Saints in Week 3

Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers overcame a 17-0 deficit in the fourth quarter by scoring on three straight drives, including an 8-yard touchdown pass from Love to Romeo Doubs that gave the Packers an 18-17 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

The 17-point comeback — in Love’s first start at Lambeau Field, no less — was the Packers’ biggest since Aaron Rodgers returned to stun the Chicago Bears after falling behind 20-0 in Week 1 of 2018.

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Here is an instant analysis and recap of the Packers’ 18-17 win over the Saints in Week 3:

Final score: Packers 18, Saints 17

1 2 3 4 F
NO (2-1) 7 10 0 0 17
GB (2-1) 0 0 0 18 18

First quarter

NO 7, GB 0: Jimmy Graham 8-yard catch (6:40)

Second quarter

NO 14, GB 0: Rashid Shaheed 76-yard punt return (10:30)
NO 17, GB 0: Blake Grupe 25-yard FG (0:06)

Fourth quarter

NO 17, GB 3: Anders Carlson 38-yard FG (11:00)
NO 17, GB 11: Jordan Love 1-yard run (6:58)
GB 18, NO 17: Romeo Doubs 8-yard catch (2:56)

It was over when...

…Blake Grupe’s 46-yard field goal missed wide right with 1:10 left in the fourth quarter after the Packers took a 18-17 lead. Jordan Love kneeled down three times to seal the deal.

Game balls

Sep 24, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) celebrates his sack of New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr during the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

— QB Jordan Love: He led three scoring drives to create the comeback in his first career start at Lambeau Field, including a rushing touchdown and an 8-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs to take the lead.

— OLB Rashan Gary: His first career three-sack game. Two of his sacks ended drives on third down.

WR Romeo Doubs: Two more touchdown catches, including the game-winner. His best play was a sprawling 30-yard catch.

Key stat

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a ball downfield during the second quarter of their game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, September 24, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

206: The number of yards gained by the Packers in the fourth quarter. This includes two 80-yard touchdown drives on back-to-back possessions. Another key stat: zero, or the number of points scored by the Saints in the second half.

Jordan Love watch

Sep 24, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) dives to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

After three forgettable quarters, Love came alive in the fourth quarter and created big play after big play. He hit Romeo Doubs for 30 yards. He found Jayden Reed for 30 yards. He scrambled for 24 yards. He converted fourth down with a 1-yard touchdown run and then found Samori Toure for the two-point conversion. And he finished it all off with a back-shoulder touchdown pass to Doubs. Love completed 22 of 44 passes for 259 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and he led the Packers with 39 rushing yards and a score.

Play of the game: Love to Doubs for game-winner

Injury updates

Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell suffered an ankle injury in the first half and didn’t return. Cornerback Carrington Valentine suffered a biceps injury. Offensive tackle Zach Tom left the contest with a knee injury in the fourth quarter.

What's next

Jan 8, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (95) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Packers have a short week and turnaround with the Detroit Lions (2-1) coming to Lambeau Field for Thursday Night Football in Week 4. The Lions, who ended the Packers’ season last year in the finale at Lambeau Field, beat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The winner on Thursday night will take an early and important lead in the NFC North.

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