Saints off to impressive 2-0 start

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The New Orleans Saints' relentless defense gave Brett Favre fits all game.

Allen's Analysis

Question on the Packers: Where's this great defense that's supposed to put Green Bay in the Super Bowl? I'm wondering who called their D great ... but New Orleans does a good job of keeping defenses off-balance. Aaron Brooks is playing well and using all of his weapons. When the Saints are clicking on offense, they're tough for lots of defenses. Question on the Saints: Could they have known that McAllister would be this effective, this early? I hope so -- I hope they didn't get rid of Ricky Williams on a whim or based on one day's practice. They knew Deuce was the real deal and that he potentially could carry a team far into the playoffs. Eric Allen played 14 seasons in the NFL for the Eagles, Saints and Raiders.

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 for 217 yards and two touchdowns as the Saints jumped out to an early lead.

"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. Green Bay (1-1) gained 357 yards in total offense, but only 95 yards rushing. They completed just 22 percent of their third-down attempts (2-of-9) compared to 70 percent for the Saints, who also had 357 yards total.

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

Favre, who was 9-0 in the Superdome coming in, including preseason 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 broke his string of 158 straight passes without an interception when Darrin Smith grabbed one in the first quarter. He also had two intentional grounding calls against him.

"We came in knowing this was a good defensive team,'' said Packers tackle Earl Dotson. "I don't think they did anything we didn't expect. They were just the hungrier team today.''

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 ran in from 4 yards.

In the second quarter, Brooks found Jerome Pathon with a 5-yard scoring pass to put New Orleans up 14-3.

The Saints stretched the lead to 21-3 on a 34-yard touchdown from Brooks to Donte Stallworth with 2:03 left in the first half. The play was set up by a bruising block by Saints center Jerry Fontenot, and linemen Kyle Turley and Kendyl Jacox then escorted Stallworth to the end zone.

The Packers moved the ball against New Orleans' defense in the first half, but couldn't find the end zone until the final minute. Green Bay held the ball for 7½ minutes on its second drive, but had to settle for a 27-yard field goal after Saints safety Sammy Knight slammed into Javon Walker at the goal line and jarred the ball loose.

"It's the second week in a row we haven't stepped up to the level we need to play at,'' Packers coach Mike Sherman said.

The Packers' first touchdown came after Mike McKenzie intercepted Brooks, and Favre immediately hit Terry Glenn for a 14-yard score with 40 seconds left to make it 21-10 at the break.

The Saints opened the second half with a touchdown. Keyou Craver picked up a fumble by Glenn and returned it 38 yards to make it 28-10 just over a minute into the period.

Favre cut the Saints' lead to 28-17 with 31 seconds left in the third quarter on a 26-yard scoring pass to Donald Driver. Favre was 4-for-4 for 65 yards on the 71-yard drive.

Ryan Longwell kicked his second field goal, a 36-yarder, to pull Green Bay to 28-20 with 4:36 left.

McAllister sealed the victory for New Orleans with a 2-yard touchdown run that made it 35-20 at the 2-minute warning.

McAllister, who took over for Ricky Williams as the Saints' main running back this season, rushed for 123 yards on 21 carries. It was his second straight game with over 100 yards rushing.

Ahman Green rushed for 81 yards for Green Bay, and had 53 yards on 6 receptions.

Game notes
Eight busloads of Favre fans made the one-hour trip from his hometown of Kiln, Miss., to cheer him on. ... The Saints are 13-23 all-time in home openers and have won four of their last five. ... Favre has started 159 straight games, an NFL record for quarterbacks. ... The Saints had not beaten the Packers since 1987. ... Injuries: Saints: DE Darren Howard (sprained left shoulder), Craver (injured right knee), RB Fred McAfee (injured right hamstring). Packers: RT Mark Tauscher (sprained right knee), RB Ahman Green (injured right knee).