Green Bay stuffs New Orleans; Preserve Victory

Green Bay Packers' Randall Cobb (18) celebrates with fans after a 108-yard touchdown run on a kickoff during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 42-34. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

The NFL is back in full swing after last nights opening game in Green Bay. The story was supposed to be about two stalwart defenses anchoring the last two Super Bowl champions, but as is often the case in the world of sports, the story rarely goes the way it's supposed to. Fans were treated to a 42-34 scoring fest that saw quarter backs Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers combine for 731 yards through the air and 6 touch downs.

The high scoring affair saw only 1 turnover and even in light of the new kickoff rules, which moves the kick off from the 30 to the 35 yard line; rookie Randall Cobb returned a kickoff 108 yards for a score. It was the second longest play in NFL history, bested only by Antonio Cromartie's 109 yard scamper off a missed field goal in 2007.

The Packers never got more than two scores ahead of New Orleans who simply refused to go away. After Cobb's big return, Darren Sproles in his first appearance in a Saints uniform brought the ensuing kick return back past midfield, snatching back the momentum Green Bay had established. The teams traded scores, until the visiting Saints forced a 3 and out with just over a minute remaining.  Brees lead the offense down inside the 10 yard line and on what would've been the last play of the game, A.J. Hawk was called for pass interference placing the ball on the 1 yard line. The Saints had one last chance to punch it in and possibly force overtime but rookie Mark Ingram was stuffed by Clay Matthews and company holding on to save the win for the reigning world champions.