The Green Bay Packers opened the 2011 season with a 42-34 win over the New Orleans Saints in a game that has fantasy owners jumping with joy.
Aaron Rodgers showed no signs of slowing down from the Super Bowl season as he completed 27 of his 35 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns.
Highlighting the Packers dominating offense was rookie wideout Randall Cobb who scored a receiving touchdown and also took back a record-tying 108 yard kick-off return for a touchdown.
The Packers offense was awesome to say the least, but the same can’t be said about the defense who really struggled at stopping the Saints aerial attack on Thursday night.
Despite leaving Lambeau Field with a loss, the Saints offense and specifically quarterback Drew Brees have to be asking their-selves what happened. Head Coach Sean Payton continued to show his love affair with the passing game with 49 pass plays compared to only 21 carries on the ground.
The speedy Darren Sproles, who New Orleans picked up to replace Reggie Bush, really gave the Green Bay defense problems in the dink-and-dunk game as well as on special teams. Even though the Packers defense allowed 477 total yards to the Saints, they did an excellent job in the red-zone.
In New Orleans four trips to the red-zone, they were only able to come out with six points on one occasion. Conversely, the Packers offense was a perfect 4-for-4 in the red-zone.
Other players who impressed on the night were wide-outs Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson who combined for 13 catches, 166 yards and two touchdowns.
As usual, the Packers running game was mediocre with James Starks receiving the bulk of the load with 12 carries (57 yards) to Ryan Grant’s nine carries (40 yards).
Next up for the Packers is a date with Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. The Packers 42 points was the most in an opener since scoring 53 in 1919 (Green Bay’s first season). Cobb’s record-setting kick-off return ties Elias Hobbs 108 yard kick-off return with the New England Patriots and is one yard shy of Antonio Cromartie’s 109 yard field goal return.
What did you think of the NFL’s season opener? Were you ready for some football and the fireworks that occurred? Let me know by commenting below!
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.