New quarterback, same success for Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints. The Saints pummeled the Green Bay Packers 38-3 in Jacksonville (a home game for the Saints in Jacksonville due to Hurricane Ida) on Sunday.
With Drew Brees retired (and now showing off his analyst skills for NBC Sports), Jameis Winston ran the New Orleans offense with the same efficiency as the future Hall of Famer.
Winston only threw 20 passes, but he completed 14 of them for 148 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 130.8 passer rating.
Jameis Winston vs the Packers:
14-of-20, 148 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT, 130.8 passer rating pic.twitter.com/IsXrsYWfUP
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 12, 2021
Jameis Winston is the first QB in NFL history to throw 5 Pass TD with 0 Int in a season-opener in his first career start with a new team.
Overall, he's the 7th quarterback with 5 passing touchdowns & no interceptions in a opener & the 1st since Lamar Jackson in 2019. pic.twitter.com/WeeQqoUh1R
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 12, 2021
New Orleans also had success on the ground, running for 171 yards over 39 carries (4.4 AVG). Winston also provided value with that element of his game (something Brees didn’t offer), carrying the ball six times for 37 yards (6.2 AVG).
But it was the defensive side of the ball that had to thrill Sean Payton and the New Orleans coaching staff.
Reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers completed 15-of-28 passes for 133 yards (4.8 AVG), no touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 36.8 passer rating.
Aaron Rodgers picked off for the second time.
The Saints lead the Packers 24-3! pic.twitter.com/xA1hYUZPmt
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 12, 2021
The Saints also shut down Aaron Jones and the Packers’ run game, limiting Green Bay to 43 yards over 15 carries (2.3 AVG).
It was an absolutely sensational all-around performance by the Saints, and — assuming the Packers’ offense isn’t just awful out of nowhere — it will go down as one of the best defensive efforts by a team all season.
Oh, and after the game, New Orleans signed star cornerback Marshon Lattimore to “a five-year, $97.6 million contract extension that could be worth up to $100 million, with $68.3 million guaranteed,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. What a day for the Saints.
For Green Bay and Rodgers, well, this is only going to add to the chatter and drama. They’ll at least get a favorable opportunity to rebound with a home game against the Detroit Lions in Week 2.
The Saints will look to keep their success up in Week 2 on the road against the Carolina Panthers.