Packers vs Saints Week 1 2021: Final Score 38

Final2021 Week 1

EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FLSun, Sep 12, 2021, 4:25 PM ET

Green Bay Packers vs New Orleans Saints, Week 1 2021

Green Bay Packers

Away

New Orleans Saints

HomeWon

Scoring by quarter
Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Packers	0	3	0	0	3
Saints	3	14	7	14	38

GB 3NO 38 Final

Passing leader
Jameis Winston
NO · QB
29.6PPR pts
14/20, 148 YDS, 5 TD
Top fantasy scorer
Alvin Kamara
NO · RB
18.1PPR pts
20 ATT, 83 YDS, 3 REC, 8 REC YDS, 1 REC TD
Packers leader
Davante Adams
GB · WR
10.6PPR pts
5 REC, 56 YDS
Defensive playmaker
Paulson Adebo
NO
1 INT, 3 TKL

Saints 38, Packers 3: New Orleans leads from start to finish

The gap showed up everywhere. The Packers went 1-for-10 on third down and committed three turnovers, while the Saints kept the ball for 34:36 and finished without a giveaway.

The two teams meet again in Week 13 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

+1.0 yards/play NO 5.4 · GB 4.4
+3 turnover margin NO 0 turnovers
+93 total yards NO 322 · GB 229

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Saints Won

New Orleans won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Packers vs Saints
Packers	Stat	Saints
4.4	Yards per play	5.4

3	Turnovers	0

229	Total yards	322

Other team stats
52	Plays	60

10%	Third-down conversion	50%

25:24	Time of possession	34:36

Scoring Summary

The Saints scored five touchdowns and one field goal; the Packers scored one field goal.

Scoring plays, Packers vs Saints
Time	Team	Play	GB	NO
1st quarter
11:00	NO	Aldrick Rosas 44-yard FG Takes lead	0	3
2nd quarter
14:18	NO	Jameis Winston → Alvin Kamara, 3-yard TD Extends leadAldrick Rosas XP	0	10
1:07	NO	Jameis Winston → Juwan Johnson, 1-yard TD Extends leadAldrick Rosas XP	0	17
0:00	GB	Mason Crosby 39-yard FG	3	17
3rd quarter
3:07	NO	Jameis Winston → Chris Hogan, 10-yard TD Extends leadAldrick Rosas XP	3	24
4th quarter
14:54	NO	Jameis Winston → Juwan Johnson, 8-yard TD Extends leadAldrick Rosas XP	3	31
10:46	NO	Jameis Winston → Deonte Harris, 55-yard TD Extends leadAldrick Rosas XP	3	38

Fantasy Points: Packers vs Saints, Week 1 2021

Fantasy leaders

Jameis WinstonNOQB29.6 PTSQB4
Alvin KamaraNORB18.1 PTSRB10
Juwan JohnsonNOTE17.1 PTSTE5
Deonte HartyNOWR15.2 PTSWR32

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	CMP/ATT	Pass YDS	TD	INT	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	Rate	Start/Sit
Jameis WinstonNOQB	29.6	QB4	14/20	148	5	0	6	37	0	130.8	Start/Sit →
Aaron RodgersGBQB	3.3	QB34	15/28	133	0	2	—	—	—	36.8	Start/Sit →
Jordan LoveGBQB	-0.3	—	5/7	68	0	0	—	—	—	102.1	Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	POS	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	TGT	REC	Rec YDS	Rec TD	Start/Sit
Alvin KamaraNORB	18.1	RB10	RB	20	83	0	4	3	8	1	Start/Sit →
Juwan JohnsonNOTE	17.1	TE5	TE	—	—	—	3	3	21	2	Start/Sit →
Deonte HartyNOWR	15.2	WR32	WR	—	—	—	2	2	72	1
Davante AdamsGBWR	10.6	WR53	WR	—	—	—	7	5	56	0	Start/Sit →
Chris HoganNOWR	8.0	WR68	WR	—	—	—	1	1	10	1
Tony JonesNORB	6.3	RB43	RB	11	50	0	1	1	3	0
Adam TrautmanNOTE	4.8	TE36	TE	—	—	—	6	3	18	0	Start/Sit →
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingGBWR	4.7	WR87	WR	—	—	—	8	3	17	0	Start/Sit →
Randall CobbGBWR	4.3	WR90	WR	1	1	0	1	1	32	0
Aaron JonesGBRB	4.2	RB49	RB	5	9	0	2	2	13	0
AJ DillonGBRB	3.6	RB54	RB	4	19	0	2	1	7	0	Start/Sit →
Allen LazardGBWR	3.6	WR94	WR	—	—	—	4	2	16	0
Malik TaylorGBWR	3.4	WR97	WR	—	—	—	3	2	14	0
Marcedes LewisGBTE	2.9	TE38	TE	—	—	—	1	1	19	0
Amari RodgersGBWR	2.9	WR100	WR	—	—	—	1	1	19	0
Robert TonyanGBTE	2.8	TE41	TE	—	—	—	4	2	8	0	Start/Sit →
Marquez CallawayNOWR	2.4	WR105	WR	—	—	—	2	1	14	0
Ty MontgomeryNORB	1.5	RB68	RB	—	—	—	1	1	5	0
Kylin HillGBRB	1.4	RB69	RB	5	14	0	—	—	—	—
Taysom HillNOTE	0.2	TE52	TE	2	1	0	—	—	—	—

Fantasy Usage

Green Bay Packers

Snap Share

Davante AdamsWR40 snaps70%
Allen LazardWR39 snaps68%
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingWR36 snaps63%
Aaron JonesRB28 snaps49%
Robert TonyanTE28 snaps49%

Target Share33 targets

Marquez Valdes-Scantling24%, 8 targets
Davante Adams21%, 7 targets
Robert Tonyan12%, 4 targets
Allen Lazard12%, 4 targets
Malik Taylor9%, 3 targets
Other21%, 7 targets

Carry Share15 carries

Aaron Jones33%, 5 carries
Kylin Hill33%, 5 carries
AJ Dillon27%, 4 carries
Randall Cobb7%, 1 carries

New Orleans Saints

Snap Share

Marquez CallawayWR52 snaps84%
Adam TrautmanTE51 snaps82%
Alvin KamaraRB45 snaps73%
Deonte HartyWR27 snaps44%
Taysom HillTE22 snaps35%

Target Share20 targets

Adam Trautman30%, 6 targets
Alvin Kamara20%, 4 targets
Juwan Johnson15%, 3 targets
Deonte Harty10%, 2 targets
Marquez Callaway10%, 2 targets
Other15%, 3 targets

Carry Share39 carries

Alvin Kamara51%, 20 carries
Tony Jones28%, 11 carries
Jameis Winston15%, 6 carries
Taysom Hill5%, 2 carries

View full usage tableHide full usage table

Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
Player	SNAPS	SNAP %	TGT	TGT %	CAR
Marquez CallawayNOWR	52	84%	2	10%	0
Adam TrautmanNOTE	51	82%	6	30%	0
Alvin KamaraNORB	45	73%	4	20%	20
Davante AdamsGBWR	40	70%	7	21%	0
Allen LazardGBWR	39	68%	4	12%	0
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingGBWR	36	63%	8	24%	0
Aaron JonesGBRB	28	49%	2	6%	5
Robert TonyanGBTE	28	49%	4	12%	0
Deonte HartyNOWR	27	44%	2	10%	0
Taysom HillNOTE	22	35%	0	0%	2
Tony JonesNORB	22	35%	1	5%	11
Dominique DafneyGBTE	19	33%	0	0%	0
Lil'Jordan HumphreyNOWR	18	29%	0	0%	0
AJ DillonGBRB	16	28%	2	6%	4
Garrett GriffinNOTE	17	27%	0	0%	0
Marcedes LewisGBTE	15	26%	1	3%	0
Randall CobbGBWR	15	26%	1	3%	1
Malik TaylorGBWR	15	26%	3	9%	0
Amari RodgersGBWR	15	26%	1	3%	0
Ty MontgomeryNORB	16	26%	1	5%	0
Kylin HillGBRB	14	25%	0	0%	5
Chris HoganNOWR	14	23%	1	5%	0
Juwan JohnsonNOTE	12	19%	3	15%	0
Josiah DeguaraGBTE	5	9%	0	0%	0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

PPRHalf PPRStandard

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Biggest overperformer+17.0Jameis Winston29.6 PTS vs 12.6 xFP
Biggest underperformer−9.0Aaron Rodgers3.3 PTS vs 12.3 xFP
Highest expected volume19.6 xFPAlvin Kamara18.1 PTS scored

Usage and expected fantasy points
Player	PTS	xFP	vs xFP	Snap%	Usage	Rte%	Pass att	Car	Car%	Tgt	Tgt%
Alvin KamaraNO · RB	18.1	19.6	−1.5	73%	51% car	—	0	20	51%	4	20%
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingGB · WR	4.7	13.5	−8.8	63%	24% tgt	—	0	0	0%	8	24%
Jameis WinstonNO · QB	29.6	12.6	+17.0	97%	20 att	—	20	6	15%	0	0%
Aaron RodgersGB · QB	3.3	12.3	−9.0	74%	28 att	—	28	0	0%	0	0%
Davante AdamsGB · WR	10.6	11.8	−1.2	70%	21% tgt	—	0	0	0%	7	21%
Adam TrautmanNO · TE	4.8	10.1	−5.3	82%	30% tgt	—	0	0	0%	6	30%
Tony Jones Jr.NO · —	6.3	8.7	−2.4	35%	28% car	—	0	11	28%	1	5%
Allen LazardGB · WR	3.6	6.7	−3.1	68%	12% tgt	—	0	0	0%	4	12%
Robert TonyanGB · TE	2.8	6.7	−3.9	49%	12% tgt	—	0	0	0%	4	12%
Aaron Jones Sr.GB · RB	4.2	6.6	−2.4	49%	33% car	—	0	5	33%	2	6%
AJ DillonGB · RB	3.6	5.9	−2.3	28%	27% car	—	0	4	27%	2	6%
Juwan JohnsonNO · TE	17.1	5.1	+12.0	19%	15% tgt	—	0	0	0%	3	15%
Malik TaylorGB · WR	3.4	5.1	−1.7	26%	9% tgt	—	0	0	0%	3	9%
Deonte HartyNO · WR	15.2	3.4	+11.8	44%	10% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	10%
Marquez CallawayNO · WR	2.4	3.4	−1.0	84%	10% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	10%
Kylin HillGB · RB	1.4	3.2	−1.8	25%	33% car	—	0	5	33%	0	0%
Jordan LoveGB · QB	0.7	3.1	−2.4	26%	7 att	—	7	0	0%	0	0%
Randall CobbGB · WR	4.3	2.3	+2.0	26%	7% car	—	0	1	7%	1	3%
Amari RodgersGB · WR	2.9	1.7	+1.2	26%	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%
Chris HoganNO · WR	8.0	1.7	+6.3	23%	5% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	5%
Marcedes LewisGB · TE	2.9	1.7	+1.2	26%	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%
Taysom HillNO · TE	0.2	1.7	−1.5	35%	5% car	—	1	2	5%	0	0%
Ty Montgomery IINO · RB	1.5	1.7	−0.2	26%	5% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	5%

Team totals: Packers 33 targets and 15 carries; Saints 20 targets and 39 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Aaron Rodgers Unlucky

GB · QB · 3.3 pts on 12.3 expected

15 of 28 passing for 133 yards, 2 interceptions.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 12.3 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Aaron Rodgers →

Jameis Winston Ran hot

NO · QB · 29.6 pts on 12.6 expected

14 of 20 passing for 148 yards, 5 touchdowns; 6 carries for 37 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 12.6 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Jameis Winston →

Marquez Valdes-Scantling Unlucky

GB · WR · 4.7 pts on 13.5 expected

8 targets (24% of the team's), 3 catches for 17 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.5 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Marquez Valdes-Scantling →

Davante Adams

GB · WR · 10.6 pts on 11.8 expected

7 targets (21% of the team's), 5 catches for 56 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 11.8 expected.

Start/Sit: Davante Adams →

Alvin Kamara

NO · RB · 18.1 pts on 19.6 expected

4 targets (20% of the team's), 3 catches for 8 yards and 1 touchdown; 20 carries (51% of the team's) for 83 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 19.6 expected.

Start/Sit: Alvin Kamara →

Adam Trautman Volume, no payoff

NO · TE · 4.8 pts on 10.1 expected

6 targets (30% of the team's), 3 catches for 18 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 10.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Adam Trautman →

Juwan Johnson Ran hot

NO · TE · 17.1 pts on 5.1 expected

3 targets (15% of the team's), 3 catches for 21 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 5.1 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Juwan Johnson →

Deonte Harty Ran hot

NO · WR · 15.2 pts on 3.4 expected

2 targets (10% of the team's), 2 catches for 72 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 3.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Packers defense and Saints defense
Points allowed to	Packers D	Saints D
QBs	18.3	16.3
RBs	20.8	17.7
WRs	33.4	34.8
TEs	13.2	9.4

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

New Orleans opened at 40% win probability and passed 98% in the third quarter on the way to the win.

Saints win probability

Key Swings

+9Rosas 44-yd FG40% → 49%Q1 11:00
+22Winston → Kamara, 3-yd TD51% → 74%Q2 14:18
+14Winston → Johnson, 1-yd TD80% → 94%Q2 1:07
−4Crosby 39-yd FG94% → 90%Q2 0:00
+4Winston → Hogan, 10-yd TD96% → >99%Q3 3:07

Swing in Saints win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Packers vs Saints
Green Bay Packers	Measure	New Orleans Saints
52	Plays	60
71%	Pass rate	35%
5.0	Yds / dropback	7.2
2.9	Yds / carry	4.4
1/10	Third downs	5/10

Efficiency edge New Orleans ran 8 more plays and gained 2.2 more yards per dropback.

Top targets
GB Valdes-Scantling 24% · Adams 21% · Lazard 12%
NO Trautman 30% · Kamara 20% · Johnson 15%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Packers vs Saints
Result	GB	NO
Touchdowns	0	5
Field goals	1	1
Punts	4	2
Turnovers	3	0
Turnovers on downs	1	0

NO turnover edge: +3

The Saints opened the scoring on their first possession, a 9-play, 49-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
The Saints scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives.

All 18 possessions, drive by drive

Drive chart
Team	Start	Plays	Yards	Time	Result
NO	Q1 15:00	9	49	4:00	Field goal
GB	Q1 11:00	7	13	3:51	Punt
NO	Q1 7:09	15	76	7:51	Touchdown
GB	Q2 14:18	5	8	3:11	Punt
NO	Q2 11:07	15	80	10:00	Touchdown
GB	Q2 1:07	6	54	1:07	Field goal
GB	Q3 15:00	10	66	5:30	Interception
NO	Q3 9:30	6	10	3:19	Punt
GB	Q3 6:11	3	3	1:38	Interception
NO	Q3 4:33	3	12	1:26	Touchdown
GB	Q3 3:07	4	9	1:32	Downs
NO	Q3 1:35	4	21	1:41	Touchdown
GB	Q4 14:54	3	-5	1:54	Punt
NO	Q4 13:00	4	66	2:14	Touchdown
GB	Q4 10:46	6	27	3:45	Punt
NO	Q4 7:01	3	6	3:04	Punt
GB	Q4 3:57	9	54	2:56	Fumble
NO	Q4 1:01	2	-1	1:01	End of game

About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Packers vs Saints Head-to-Head

The Packers and Saints first met in 1968 and have played 29 times since.

All-time series: 19–10Packers lead, 29 meetings since 1968
Postseason: 0No playoff meetings
Largest Packers win: 52–32005
Largest Saints win: 38–32021

Since 2021

2–1 Packers lead

3 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. P = Packers win, S = Saints win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

Week 13 Packers at Saints Sun, Dec 6, 2026 Upcoming

Recent Meetings

2024 Wk 16 Saints at Packers, 2024 Wk 16 recap Mon, Dec 23, 2024 GB 34 NO 0 GB W
2023 Wk 3 Saints at Packers, 2023 Wk 3 recap Sun, Sep 24, 2023 GB 18 NO 17 GB W
2021 Wk 1 Packers at Saints Sun, Sep 12, 2021 NO 38 GB 3 NO W

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Packers vs Saints
Packers	Stat	Saints
13-4	Record	9-8

26.5	Points per game	21.4

365.6	Yards per game	304.5

5.8	Yards per play	4.9

21.8	Points allowed per game	19.7

328.2	Yards allowed per game	318.2

Packers vs Saints Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread: GB −3.5Packers failed to cover by 38.5
Total: 49Under: 41 points scored (by 8)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
Team	Implied	Actual	Difference
Packers	26.3	3	−23.3
Saints	22.8	38	+15.3

The Saints beat their implied total and the Packers fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Green Bay Packers

Against the spread: 0–1
Over/under: 0–1
ATS as favorite: 0–1
ATS on the road: 0–1

New Orleans Saints

Against the spread: 1–0
Over/under: 0–1
ATS as underdog: 1–0
ATS at home: 1–0

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Packers vs Saints Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 13 in New Orleans. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Packers vs Saints Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Packers vs Saints Week 1 game?

The New Orleans Saints beat the Green Bay Packers 38–3 in Week 1 of the 2021 season. The game was played at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL, on September 12, 2021. See the Saints' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Packers vs Saints?

The final score was Saints 38, Packers 3. The Saints led 17–3 at halftime, and the second half went Packers 0, Saints 21.

What happened in the Packers vs Saints game?

New Orleans led 17–3 at halftime after a 14-point second quarter and outscored Green Bay 21–0 after the break to win 38–3. The Saints finished with a 322–229 edge in total offense and averaged 5.4 yards per play. Jameis Winston led all players with 14 of 20 passing for 148 yards and 5 touchdowns, plus 6 carries for 37 rushing yards. The Packers committed 3 turnovers, the Saints none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Packers vs Saints?

Jameis Winston led the game with 29.6 PPR fantasy points, the QB4 of Week 1, on 14 of 20 passing for 148 yards and 5 touchdowns, plus 6 carries for 37 rushing yards. Alvin Kamara was next with 18.1 (RB10). See Jameis Winston's 2021 game log.

Who led Packers vs Saints in passing, rushing and receiving?

Jameis Winston (NO) led all passers with 14 of 20 for 148 yards and 5 touchdowns. Alvin Kamara (NO) led in rushing with 20 carries for 83 yards. Deonte Harty (NO) led in receiving with 2 catches for 72 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Jameis Winston score against the Packers?

Jameis Winston scored 29.6 fantasy points against the Packers in Week 1 of the 2021 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 14 of 20 passing for 148 yards and 5 touchdowns, plus 6 carries for 37 rushing yards.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Packers vs Saints?

Jameis Winston outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 29.6 PPR points on 12.6 xFP (+17.0). Aaron Rodgers fell furthest short, with 3.3 points on 12.3 xFP (−9.0). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Packers vs Saints?

Alvin Kamara had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 19.6 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 18.1. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Saints beat the Packers?

The Saints beat the Packers 38–3 because they averaged 5.4 yards per play to 4.4, won the turnover battle 3–0, and outgained them 322–229.

Which team won the turnover battle in Packers vs Saints?

The Saints won the turnover battle 3–0: the Packers gave the ball away 3 times and the Saints not at all. The Saints won the game.

What is the all-time Packers vs Saints record?

The Packers lead the all-time series 19–10 across 29 meetings since 1968.

When did the Packers and Saints last play before this game?

Before Week 1 of 2021, they last met in the 2020 season on September 27, 2020, when the Packers beat the Saints 37–30.

What was the closing spread for Packers vs Saints?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Packers −3.5, making the Green Bay Packers 3.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 49. That implied about 26.3 points for the Packers and 22.8 for the Saints.

Did Packers vs Saints go over or under the total?

The game went under. The consensus closing total was 49, and the teams combined for 41 points, 8 under the number.

Who covered the spread in Packers vs Saints?

The Saints covered as 3.5-point underdogs against the closing line of Packers −3.5. The final margin was 35 points.