8 stats to know about Packers’ embarrassing loss to Saints
The Green Bay Packers’ 2021 NFL season didn’t quite start how they or anyone else expected it to, as they were dominated by the New Orleans Saints in every facet of the game.
The good news is it is only one of 17 regular season games and Green Bay will have plenty of time to correct the myriad issues they had on Sunday. Following the game every week, I’ll drop some knowledge that you should know and can share with your friends/co-workers/family in casual conversation to make you sound as smart as you are. Here are eight depressing stats to know about the Packers’ Week 1 loss.
Here are eight depressing statistics you should know about the Green Bay Packers’ season-opening embarrassment to the Saints.
Mason Crosby has made 19 straight field goal attempts, tying his 2013-14 version for second in team history. Let’s start with some positive news. Crosby was responsible for the team’s only points when he hit a field goal as time expired in the second quarter. He also holds the record for the longest streak–23 straight back in 2010-11.
Crosby has made 31 straight inside of 50-yards. Sticking with Crosby, the Fox broadcast shared Crosby has now made 31 straight field goals inside of 50 yards.
Packers are now 0-2 when they elevate zero players from the practice squad. Since the start of the 2020 season, the NFL has allowed teams to elevate players from the practice squad if they so choose. Green Bay was very healthy heading into this game, thus had no need to so do. The other time they didn’t? Week 6 against the Buccaneers when they also got whooped 38-10. Yes, this stat means nothing.
Aaron Rodgers had the fourth-lowest passer rating of his career at 36.8. Following an offseason of drama, Rodgers did not come to play. He was late on many passes and had a critical interception in the end zone to start the second half. He finished only 15-for-28 for 133 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions.
This was the largest Packers’ loss with Rodgers as the starting quarterback. The Packers’ 35-point loss beat the previous record of 31 which was set on December 30th, 2018 against the Detroit Lions according to Fox. Rodgers barely played in that game, throwing only five passes before giving way to DeShone Kizer.
The Saints had back-to-back 15 play touchdown drives–the first time in the NFL since the Minnesota Vikings did it in 2000. It’s not like the defense was much better. New Orleans didn’t necessarily gash Green Bay. Instead, they methodically picked up yards and the Packers couldn’t do a thing about it.
The Packers snapped their six-game victory streak in season-openers. That streak was the longest in team history and tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for longest in the NFL. With the Chiefs sneaking out a victory against the Cleveland Browns, they stand alone at seven.
It also snapped Green Bay’s scoring 30-plus points in road games. Dating back to last season, they had scored at least 30 points in five consecutive road games, the longest streak in the NFL and longest in team history.