Saints’ three and out

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 28-27.(AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

What we learned

The Saints’ defense can put up a good fight after holding the Packers to just seven points in the final 34-plus minutes of the contest. But the Packers still made it look way too easy on their three first-half touchdown drives, throwing the ball whenever and wherever they needed.

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For only the second time since Sean Payton took over, the Saints are 0-4. They rallied a little after that horrendous start in 2007, but still finished 7-9. With some tough games remaining on the schedule, they’ll have to get it together to get to seven wins.

Final thoughts

While the defense played well enough to win, the offense wasn’t all bad. But the Saints stalled twice in the red zone in the second half after reaching the Packers’ 2 and 9. They settled for field goals, which turned out to be the difference for a struggling team.

— Sheldon Mickles