The Packers defense played as good a game as they could. They forced turnovers and contained the Saints offense, but it wasn't enough. The Packers offense was also going up against a quality defense and in the end, their offense just didn't have enough juice. The Saints get by with a shaky offensive showing, but they get by.
New Orleans
Peil Pennington 15/25 170yds 2Ints
Tony Dorsett 14car/37yds
Jerrold McRae 5tt/5rec/66yds
Craig Cassady 4 tackles 1 sack 1 knockdown
Junior Hardin 4 tackles 2 sacks
Green Bay
Lynn Dickey 15/30 186yds 1Int
David Overstreet 21car/45yds 2 fumbles
Steve Odom 8tt/4rec/61yds
Rickey Jackson 4 tackles 1 knockdown 1 int
Gary Spani 8 tackles 1 int
New Orleans
Peil Pennington 15/25 170yds 2Ints
Tony Dorsett 14car/37yds
Jerrold McRae 5tt/5rec/66yds
Craig Cassady 4 tackles 1 sack 1 knockdown
Junior Hardin 4 tackles 2 sacks
Green Bay
Lynn Dickey 15/30 186yds 1Int
David Overstreet 21car/45yds 2 fumbles
Steve Odom 8tt/4rec/61yds
Rickey Jackson 4 tackles 1 knockdown 1 int
Gary Spani 8 tackles 1 int
How much of a difference might the presence of Isaac Curtis made? Acquired in a headline-grabbing trade with the fire-sale Cincinnati Bengals, the graceful, heady veteran stepped into Green Bay's WR2 role elegantly, amassing 63 catches for an average of 13.3 yards per before hyper-extending a knee in Week 15 of NFL82. The 10th-year pro is no longer "famous for catching the long-gain bombs" nor "considered by many to be the fastest man in pro football," as Curtis's 1976 card says. But the "smooth movements and sure fingers" are certainly still there, and his presence on the other side of Lynn Dickey's peripheral vision helped free WR1 Kenny Payne to post a banner season.
ReplyDeleteCurtis's absence thrust Packer vet Steve Odom back into WR2. "Well built and durable for his size, Steve was the most productive member of Packer offense in 1974 when he was voted club's Rookie of the Year" his 1976 card says. ("He had a 95-yard punt return vs. Bears, November 10, 1974, an all-time Packer record,")
The Packers' fifth-round draft choice out of Utah in 1974 did OK against the Saints, but it's clear that the 5-foot-8, 165 pounder's presence did little to discourage New Orleans from focusing its efforts on stopping Payne. Odom had four catches for 61 yards; Payne, who averaged better than four receptions per game and 12.9 yards per catch during the regular season, was limited to just one ball for seven measly yards.
Receiving TT Rec Yds Pct Avg Lg TD
WR4 Ollie Smith 3 2 55 67% 27.5 34
HB1 David Overstreet 3 3 13 100% 4.3 7
WR3 Rickey Watts 9 4 37 44% 9.3 20
TE1 Keith Krepfle 1 1 13 100% 13.0 13
WR2 Steve Odom 8 4 61 50% 15.3 30
WR1 Ken Payne 1 1 7 100% 7.0 7