With 1:08 to go and an eight-point deficit to make-up, Drew Brees led his New Orleans Saints to the line for one final drive. It began on the 20-yard-line, with 80 yards to go for a chance to tie after a controversial touchback. But if we've learned anything from watching Brees work in the past, it's that 80 yards can be eaten up quickly as he carves a defense up with precision.
And that's exactly what Brees did, displaying an impressive variety of throws as he calmly marched the Saints out of their own territory and towards the end zone, setting up an untimed down for a shot at the tie.
If you missed it, here's the video of the final drive.
The throw Brees made to Marques Colston to put the Saints deep in Green Bay territory can only be described as sublime. And yet, with the ball at the one-yard-line after a pass interference call in the end zone, Sean Payton brought in the jumbo set and called for a run.
Rookie running back Mark Ingram went straight up the gut, only to be stuffed by a swarming defense just short of the goalline. Game over. No chance to try a two-point conversion, no overtime, just a sudden, almost unexpected, ending. And we all loved every minute of it.
The NFL made its return on Thursday night, and it was everything we could have hoped for and more. Both the Packers and Saints put on a show with their high-powered offenses, setting up the wild finish at the goalline. It was a reminder of why we all love the NFL and craved an end to an offseason lockout that seemed as though it would drag on forever.
For more on this game, visit SB Nation's Saints blog, Canal Street Chronicles, and our Packers' blog, Acme Packing Company.
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