Saints Control Packers

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints’ relentless defense gave Brett Favre fits all game.

The Saints held Favre and the Green Bay Packers in check, and Aaron Brooks threw two touchdown passes in a 35-20 victory Sunday.

“You make it easier on them, get the crowd into it, and you take yourself out of the driver’s seat and put them in it,” Favre said. “And they were in the driver’s seat from the first snap.”

Brooks, who spent the 1999 season as Green Bay’s third-string quarterback, was 16 of 28 passing for 217 yards, and his two touchdown throws helped the Saints take a 21-3 lead in the second quarter.

“We’re happy, but a lot of the credit goes to the defense,” Brooks said. “They stuck in there against Brett at a time that he was at his best.”

The Saints (2-0) used the same pressure defense that helped them win their season opener against Tampa Bay. Green Bay (1-1) had 357 total yards, but only 95 rushing. The Packers converted only 22% of their third-down attempts (two of nine) compared to 70% for the Saints, who also had 357 total yards.

“We’re trying to establish ourselves as one of the most physical teams in the NFL,” Saint defensive tackle Norman Hand said. “And we’re doing that right now.”

Favre--9-0 at the Superdome coming in, including exhibition games, a Super Bowl win and two college victories--was on the run all game. He was 29 of 44 for 270 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked once and had his streak of passes without an interception ended at 158 by linebacker Darrin Smith. Favre also had two intentional grounding calls.

“We came in knowing this was a good defensive team,” said Packer tackle Earl Dotson. “I don’t think they did anything we didn’t expect. They were just the hungrier team.”

New Orleans was called for nine penalties for 59 yards, including a holding call that nullified a 50-yard touchdown run by Deuce McAllister in the third quarter.

The Saints opened with a 68-yard scoring drive that included three third-down conversions and 54 yards in passing by Brooks before McAllister’s four-yard touchdown run. McAllister sealed the victory for New Orleans with a two-yard touchdown run that made it 35-20 at the two-minute warning.

McAllister, who took over for Ricky Williams as the Saints’ main running back, rushed for 123 yards in 21 carries. It was his second consecutive game with more than 100 yards rushing.