- The Packers started Scott Wells in place on injured Pro Bowl center Mike Flanagan (hernia), and gave left tackle Chad Clifton the nod despite an ankle injury. Still, Green Bay held the Saints without a sack on 28 passing plays. New Orleans entered the game third in NFL in sacks per passing play (11 sacks). The Packers' resilient offensive line, which lost Flanagan and Clifton for the game during the first quarter at Carolina Monday, now has not allowed a sack over its last 74 passing plays.
- Green Bay in the first half scored 35 points, their most in that half since Dec. 6, 1992, vs. Detroit (also 35).
- The Packers' 52 points today are the team's most since scoring 55 Oct. 2, 1983, vs. Tampa Bay, in a 55-14 victory.
- The Packers today tied their second-largest margin of victory, 49 points (also vs. Chicago Bears, Sept. 30, 1962; and at Philadelphia, Nov. 11, 1962). Both previous 49-point wins were 49-0 shutouts. The margin also marked the team's largest since Oct. 23, 1966, when they won by a club-record 53 points in Milwaukee vs. Atlanta, 56-3.
- The Packers posted five takeaways today. The last time they notched five was vs. the Chicago Bears, Dec. 7, 2003, a 34-21 win. Mike McKenzie intercepted two passes that day, including a 90-yard touchdown return.
- Green Bay matched a team record by returning two INTs for touchdowns. Today marked the eighth time the Packers have done it, but the first in 32 years. The last time the team had two was Dec. 2, 1973, vs. New Orleans, a 30-10 Packers win in Milwaukee.
- Counting all recorded consecutive-starts streaks, Brett Favre matched the No. 4 streak, 210, shared by the Vikings' Fred Cox (1963-77) and the Raiders' Jim Otto (1960-74). Favre holds the league's longest active streak, and longest ever among quarterbacks.
- Favre now has 24 consecutive games at Lambeau Field with a touchdown pass (27 including playoffs), the league's longest active home streak. The last time Favre did not record a touchdown pass at Lambeau was Oct. 20. 2002, vs. Washington
- Donald Driver extended his streak of games with a reception to 53. The stretch is the fourth longest in Packers history. Next up on the list are Hall of Famer James Lofton (58), current running backs coach Edgar Bennett (60) and all-time leader Sterling Sharpe (103).
- Through five games this season, Brett Favre has 46 rushing yards. Even before the game, he had 37, more than the 36 he had all of last year.
- Najeh Davenport's 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was the Packers first rushing touchdown of the season.
- Davenport's 24-yard rush in the second quarter was the Packers' longest run from scrimmage so far this season. Davenport had his first career game with two rushing touchdowns.
- Al Harris returned an INT 22 yards for his third-career regular-season touchdown (all on INTs), his second with Green Bay. During the playoffs, Harris also returned an INT for a touchdown to give the Packers a 2003 NFC Wild Card win vs. Seattle (Jan. 4, 2004). Harris totaled two interceptions on the day, the first multiple-interception game of his career.
- Nick Barnett's 95-yard interception return for a touchdown was the second-longest INT return in Packers history, behind Tim Lewis' 99-yard return, Nov. 18, 1984, vs. the L.A. Rams, a 31-6 Packers win in Milwaukee.
- Robert Ferguson's 51-yard reception in the third quarter was the Packers' longest play from scrimmage of the season and Ferguson's career-long reception.
- Corey Williams posted his first career game with two sacks.
- Rookie QB Aaron Rodgers saw his first NFL action on the Packers' first series of the fourth quarter. He completed his first career pass to Vonta Leach, for no gain.
- Mark Tauscher was called for holding for the first time in his career.
HEAD COACH MIKE SHERMAN:
(on the confidence he had in the team throughout the season) "This is one game and we certainly needed this one game. Our back was up against the wall, so it was nice to see them respond the way they responded. I asked them before the game if they could show the grit and determination in the first quarter that they had in the fourth quarter last week and take the best of that into today, I thought they showed that. Today is one win; this is our fifth ball game. We have a long way to go, but we're pleased with the effort we had today."
(on capitalizing on mistakes and having less penalties) "We had made a few mistakes that we need to correct. We had a few penalties that we shouldn't have had. They declined (throughout the year) as they have in practice, as they did last week. So I saw the attention in that area. It was nice to be on the winning end and not be the ones shooting ourselves in the foot like we had previously."
(on the difference in play from the team) I don't know if they played a whole lot differently. They played with the same effort and intensity. I don't watch the tape and see guys loafing around. I see guys trying to make plays, we just didn't make the plays in some other games. We made them today, they (the Saints) didn't make some plays and we won. The Saints are a good team coming in here. We were very concerned about them."
(on the bye week coming at an optimal time) "Anytime you can go into a bye week with a win, it's a plus, you aren't sitting on a loss. The worst thing you can do is to sit on a loss, it just eats at you. Certainly we do have four losses we need to look at as a staff and see how we can address those in this bye week and get better and not revert back to things that have gotten us beat. From a psychological standpoint we needed to win this game. We needed it desperately. I am proud of these guys because at no point during this season have they ever given up. They fight, scratch and claw."
QUARTERBACK BRETT FAVRE:
(on how it feels to win and make no mistakes) "It feels great. I know we're not 52-3 better than the Saints, but I also know we're better than 0-4. But in this game, you never know. That's the first time I've ever played in a game where we've scored 50 points. Who would have guessed it? We're 0-4, struggling, more guys hurt and even lose guys during the course of the game, but I've played long enough to know that if you do things the right way, if you study, prepare and believe, things will go your way. Today we made plays."
(on the importance of a victory to the younger guys) "I don't know when that point comes, when you keep practicing hard, keep believing, you keep hearing things from coaches and older players, but if you keep losing, at some point I'm sure you'll start losing guys. They'll think, 'I see no results.' I was getting concerned, as I was last year, that if we don't turn this around, it just becomes talk. It was nice to just win the ball game, to have things go our way. Guys can start saying, 'OK, it can happen.' I knew us losing guys due to injury, it doesn't make things any easier, but it gives guys the opportunity to play. I've said this in press conferences, that when you have young guys like we have, I don't think they know any different. They're just trying to find a spot on this team, find a starting spot, find their place. They're more concerned about that than, I don't want to say winning, but I don't think they know how terrible 0-4 feels. They're kind of like kids, they're resilient, they bounce back."
(on the confidence he has in WR Robert Ferguson) "I haven't lost confidence in him. I sit here and tell you I throw it to whoever, whenever, and I was not going to single out Fergie or anyone else and make it a point to throw to him. It just so happened those plays went to him. The long pass to Fergie was actually an 18-yard come back route. He just beat his guy, throws his hand up and we hit it. He made the play on the touchdown play. He was the third guy on the read. I think he still had confidence going into this game, but I'm sure he questioned it because people were down on him, or questioning where he stands on this team. He needed something like that. I didn't need for him to do that to have confidence in him. He's one of our guys, I throw it to him."
(on being out of the game in the fourth quarter) "I felt like I should have been out there. It didn't feel right. It felt good, but it didn't feel right."
CORNERBACK AL HARRIS:
(on why the Saints went after him) "Joe Horn was hurt, so (Donté) Stallworth was lined up on the right side, which is the side I play. So I don't think they were attacking me, I think they were going to their guy."
(on if this was his best game as a Packer) "No, I have to go with the Seattle (playoff) game."
(on if he was more up for this game because (Mike) McKenzie was on the other side) "Not at all. I just wanted to play a good game and contribute to the team. It had nothing to do with Mike on the other side. I wished him the best of luck, make sure he comes out of the game healthy. Not at all."
(on the comfort level of the defensive scheme) "It's getting there. With a new scheme it takes awhile, but we're getting there. Guys are getting on their matches. With this defense you pretty much have to play perfect, but it's possible. You have to be in the right spot, be on your matches. If you can play it like that, you can stop teams from scoring."
(on playing at home when you're 0-4) "It's very hard. The fans are great. You have some teams where when you lose four, you'll get booed at home. It's tough to lose here, especially here where there is so much tradition and you're used to winning. It's tough, but we'll turn it around."
QUARTERBACK AARON RODGERS:
(on taking his first professional snaps) "It feels good, but it feels better to be part of a win. It's exciting because Brett (Favre) played so well and our defense played so well and we were able to get the win."
(on whether he was nervous before entering the game) "Not when you're ahead 45-3. It's pretty easy when you are up by that much. I didn't want to do anything stupid around the goal line, like fumble a snap or anything. Coach (Sherman) just said, 'Don't do anything stupid.'"
(on Brett Favre's play and advice) "Brett was phenomenal today. The day before his 36th birthday, he looked like a 22-year-old out there. Unbelievable. It's almost not really that unbelievable anymore because I see this stuff all the time. I thanked him when I went in for the opportunity to go in. He told me what I tell him before every game, "Have fun." He definitely had fun today."
RUNNING BACK AHMAN GREEN:
(on the timing of the bye week) "It's good-more time to workout and rehab. I'll be in the pool more and do some more running. We're excited to turn it around, and dig ourselves out of this hole. This was the first step in what we are trying to do."
(on being 1-4 this year like last year) "I can't really say it feels any differently. Right now, we have to take it week by week to get ourselves out of this hole. With this victory, we can take off the bye week, relax, get off of football a little bit and pick it up from there."
(on the play of the reserve running backs and tight ends) "It's really good. That's what you want them to do. It has to be a team effort and everybody has to contribute. That's what they want and that's what I want when those guys are in there."
CENTER SCOTT WELLS:
(on getting the first victory) "It's nice to see what we can do when we play well. It does ease some of (the frustration), but we still have a lot of work to do. Getting the win before the bye week was good for us. It gives us some positives and we can come back fresh. We're 1-4, the same spot we were in last year, so getting our first win was huge. No matter how we got it, the win will give us confidence."
(on the effort it took to get here) "Getting that first win is hard. It's kind of like getting those first points in the game. Especially with it coming right before the bye, it will give us a week to enjoy it. We're more confident and (in) a positive light compared to if we would have lost today."
(on what Coach Sherman did this week to prepare the team) "He didn't do anything unusual. But he did a good job of keeping us focused on ourselves and not believing in the negative things people were saying about us and also showing us how close we were in these last three games, and showing us what we can do when we don't hurt ourselves."
LINEBACKER PARIS LENON:
(on the defensive play) "It's great when you can do what we did. I think we had five turnovers and scored on two of them, that's incredible. That's what we try to achieve every game. Does it happen every game? No. But you still work toward it. It's a real good feeling to get that done today."
(on getting the first victory) "I wouldn't say it's a huge sense of relief because we are still down. We are very happy to get this win, but we'd rather our record be something different. It's a wonderful thing to get that off your back and get that victory. The feeling that everyone has coming into the locker room and coming in tomorrow to watch tape is going to be a totally different feeling. We have the bye week coming up, so we'll get a couple practices in and get a little time to rest up and then get it going again."
(on the positives of the defense) "Turnovers, scoring on defense, that's what you want to do. It's about time. We had the opportunity in previous games - against Cleveland, I think, we got a bad call as far as a couple turnovers - but we haven't really been getting the turnovers like we want to do. Today, they came in bunches."
DEFENSIVE TACKLE GRADY JACKSON:
(on where the team goes after it's first win) "We have to look at the film and take the positive things and build off of them. We started the foundation and we have to keep building one brick at a time. The bye week is pretty good because you got a couple of people banged up and nicked up and hopefully they can come back healthy."
(on how it feels to beat his former team) "Being the Saints, it feels pretty good. Just going in there against the old teammates, it was a great win."
(on the defensive effort) "We just played ball and got all cylinders clicking - special teams, offense and defense. Everybody just went out there and played great ball today. The mindset was to play ball, get a victory and take the bye week to get everyone healthy."
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS HEAD COACH JIM HASLETT:
(on why the Saints lost today) "It came down to this -- we had 13 penalties, five turnovers, two missed field goals, dropped balls, missed tackles and bad coverage. So it doesn't get any worse than that. We were just bad today. Green Bay played really well. I thought Brett (Favre) was outstanding. We just self-destructed. We were awful."
(on the Al Harris's interception for a touchdown) "It was a poor decision by Aaron (Brooks). He threw the ball and they were playing a roll-up coverage. He should have never thrown it. It was just a bad decision on his part."
(on how the Saints can rebound from the loss) "The good thing about this business is that there is another game next week. We have a chance to redeem ourselves. There are things we have to fix, correct and move on. Our guys know that they have to play better than that to win games. We played well last week and we didn't this week."
(on the play of Brett Favre) "I don't think he has ever, ever looked his age. I've said it before, I think he is the greatest player to play the game and I believe that. I know he is the greatest competitor. I think he proved it tonight."
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS QUARTERBACK AARON BROOKS:
(on if the Saints were ready to play today) "Yeah, for the most part. Sometimes you never know until you get out on the football field. I thought we came in with a great attitude, feeling that we were going to beat this team while they were down, but obviously that didn't happen. So we just have to move on."
(on if the play of the Packers' defense surprised him) "No, they didn't. They played two man, they played a cover two and manned the corners. That is exactly what we saw (on film). They play solid, they play very solid. They played a good game today. Much credit goes to them."
(on his return to Lambeau Field) "I was excited about it, hoping that things would go in our favor and get a victory, but obviously that didn't happen. But it is always great coming back to Lambeau Field and having the feel of the crowd. As you know, this crowd is always there, always."
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS CORNERBACK MIKE MCKENZIE:
(on if the loss today was disappointing) "It was an opportunity for us to really come out and get a game up from being average, but we took a step back and we got our (explicative) kicked today and we have to tip our hats off to them. They were excellent at every phase of the game."
(on how the Saints have dealt with the adversity of being displaced from New Orleans) "It is tough for everybody in that region. Obviously we are just like everyone else, just going day to day and finding a way to keep some things in perspective. It's a game. There have been a lot of lives lost in that area, a lot of homes and pretty much a lot of people pretty much lost everything, so when you think back to that, we are pretty blessed to be alive and have an opportunity to come out here and play a football game."
**
End of Game.
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Nick Barnett's 95-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 4th quarter was the second-longest in Packers history. Tim Lewis returned an interception 99 yards vs. the Rams in 1984.
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QB Aaron Rodgers replaced Brett Favre with 14:41 remaining in the game. Favre finished with 215 yards, having completed 19-of-27 passes and 3 touchdowns.
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End of 3rd quarter.
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Corey Williams in the 3rd quarter recorded his 2nd sack of the game, marking the 1st multiple-sack game of his 2-year career.
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T Mark Tauscher in the 3rd quarter was flagged for a holding penalty. It was the 1st holding penalty of his 6-year career.
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Brett Favre's 51-yard completion to Robert Ferguson was the Packers' longest pass play of the season. It was also the longest reception of Ferguson's career.
**
End of 1st half.
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Al Harris suffered a knee injury late in the 2nd quarter. His return is probable.
**
The last time the Packers scored 35 points in a half was vs Detroit on December 6, 1992 in Milwaukee's County Stadium.
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Kenny Peterson in the 2nd quarter recovered a fumble forced by Nick Collins. It was Peterson's first career fumble recovery.
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Najeh Davenport left the game with an ankle injury. His return is doubtful.
**
With the 25-yard touchdown pass to Robert Ferguson, Brett Favre has now thrown a touchdown pass in 24 consecutive regular-season games at Lambeau Field, 27 including home playoff games. The last time Favre did not throw a touchdown pass at home was October 20, 2002 vs. Washington Redskins.
**
Najeh Davenport in the 2nd quarter scored his 2nd touchdown of the game (4 yards), marking the first game of his 4-year career in which has has scored two touchdowns.
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Najeh Davenport's 24-yard carry in the 2nd quarter was the Packers' longest rush from scrimmage this season.
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End of 1st quarter.
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Al Harris in the 1st quarter came up with two interceptions off Saints QB Aaron Brooks. It is the first 2-interception game of his 8-year career.
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Al Harris' 22-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 1st quarter was the third of his career, his second as a Green Bay Packer.
Harris also returned an interception 52 yards for a score against Seattle Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck, clinching the the Packers' 2003 playoff victory in overtime.
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Najeh Davenport's 1-yard touchdown in the 1st quarter was the Packers' first rushing touchdown of the season.
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Donald Driver extended his streak of games with a reception to 53 on Sunday. The strech is the fourth longest in Packers history. Next up on the list are Hall of Famer James Lofton (58), current running backs coach Edgar Bennett (60) and all-time leader Sterling Sharpe (103).
**
The Packers won the coin toss and have elected to receive.
Gametime weather: 54 degrees, mostly sunny.
**
The following Packers players are inactive for today's game:
The following Saints players are inactive for today's game:
Fakhir Brown, CB
Mel Mitchell, S
James Allen, LB
T.J. Slaughter, LB
Rodney Leisle, DT
Shad Meier, TE
Joe Horn, WR
Adrian McPherson, Inactive third QB
On offense, Az-Zahir Hakim (#81) starts at wide receiver for Joe Horn (#87).
On defense, Will Smith (#91) starts at right defensive end for Charles Grant (#94); Jason Craft (#21) starts at right cornerback for Fakhir Brown (#35).
Packer fans 12 and under can win the opportunity of a lifetime: Packers Honorary Kickoff Kid! One lucky fan will be selected for each 2006 home game to run onto the field after the Packers first kickoff to retrieve the tee. Each winner will receive the opportunity to be on the field during pre-game warm-ups, four (4) game tickets for the winner and his/her family, and a Packers Goodie Bag. Visit participating Shopko stores for your chance to win!
Crunch Time Catch
The Crunch Time Catch presented by Copps and Pick 'n Save gives two contestants the chance to show their skills catching punts. Both contestants will attempt to catch a thirty yard punt. If they succeed they move on to a sixty yard punt for the chance to win Packer prizes.
Nicolet Water Boy/Girl Sweepstakes
Win a chance to be the Official Water Boy/Girl of the Green Bay Packers. Children between the ages of 8 and 14 may enter by sending in an official entry form available at participating retailers.
Verizon Jr. Captain
For every home game one lucky Packers fan between the ages of 7 and 14 is selected to be the Verizon Jr. Captain of the game and join the team captains on the field during the coin toss. Sign up at participating Verizon Wireless locations. verizonwireless.com
Badger Mutual Family of the Game
Seventh-graders in the state of Wisconsin are eligible to enter an essay contest to see their family named the Badger Mutual Insurance Family of the Game. Winners will receive four game tickets, pre-game VIP on-field passes, recognition on the video board during the game and much more. To enter, Wisconsin seventh-graders should write an essay of 500 words or less that tells "Why Education Is Important to Me." Print out a registration form on packers.com.
Kohl's Fan of the Game
Four randomly selected fans will be selected at every Packer home game to win Kohl's Gift Cards.
Coldwell Banker "Take it to the House"
Two lucky couples will have a chance to win a house courtesy of Coldwell Banker during halftime at every home game. The winning couple will receive either an Ariens snow blower or an Ariens lawnmower. Visit one of Coldwell Banker's Open Houses to sign up!
Kraft Best Seats in the House Sweepstakes
Watch the game from the "Best Seats in the House". Winners and a guest will watch the game from recliners in the stands. The area will also include a color TV and a fully catered picnic lunch. Entry forms available at participating retailers.
MasterCard Fan Photographer
All Associated Bank customers who make a signature-based transaction will automatically be entered into the sweepstakes. You and a guest will receive passes to be on the field for the Packers warm-up to take pictures that will be posted on Packers.com.
Miller Lite End Zone
Watch for Miller promotions throughout the season for a chance to be part of this exciting section.
Packers Dress Your Pet Contest
If your favorite pet likes to show his/her Packers spirit, send us a picture and see if he/she becomes a Packers Dress Your Pet winner.
Your pet could win the chance to debut their Packers pride on the Packers in-stadium TundraVision video board in addition to Packers.com, along with a Packers pet food bowl, pet leash and pet collar!
Packers Ultimate Playhouse
The Green Bay Packers have partnered with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, MasterFoods and Ashley Furniture to raffle off a 10'x10' playhouse which includes a couch, flat screen TV, Packers recliner and Packers memorabilia. Raffle tickets, priced at $1, will be available all season long at the house in the Atrium on game days and in the Packers Pro Shop on non-game days. A winner will be selected Feb. 16, 2007. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit Habitat for Humanity projects in northeastern Wisconsin.
