Packers exploit Patriots miscues in 45-27 Foxborough rout

The Green Bay Packers defeated the New England Patriots 45-27 on Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The victory was built on ball security, as the Packers scored 21 points on four New England turnovers. Jordan Love accounted for four total touchdowns, throwing for 372 yards and three scores while adding a rushing touchdown.

Green Bay’s receiving corps drove the offense. Christian Watson caught seven passes for 171 yards and a touchdown. Matthew Golden added 10 receptions for 164 yards and a score. Kaleb Johnson and Savion Williams also reached the end zone on the ground and in the air, respectively. The Packers finished the game with 478 total offensive yards. This marked the first time since November 11, 1962, that Green Bay scored 45 points and gained 450 yards in a single game.

The Patriots defense struggled to contain the passing game. Safety Xavier McKinney intercepted two passes, and Evan Williams added another pick. Green Bay entered the weekend last in the NFL in rushing, averaging 60.6 yards per game. They finished with 129 rushing yards, a stark improvement from their season average. The Packers improved to 6-3, marking their fifth win in their last six contests.

New England quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions in the first half. He completed 21 of 38 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Maye had thrown only one interception in his previous four games. Two of his first-half picks set up Packers touchdowns. The Patriots had not allowed 45 points at Gillette Stadium in a regular season game since a 45-7 loss to the New York Jets on September 26, 1993.

Rhamondre Stevenson, Efton Chism, and Mack Hollins caught touchdown passes for New England. Stevenson also fumbled, which led to Watson’s score before Stevenson left the game late in the third quarter with a knee injury. DeMario Douglas caught five passes for 102 yards. The Packers led 24-14 at halftime. They extended the lead early in the third quarter on a seven-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Love to Williams.

The game began with high energy as the Patriots honored the 10th anniversary of their Super Bowl 51 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Tom Brady appeared in the Fox broadcast booth for the ceremony. That energy faded quickly after the Patriots opened the game with a penalty. On the next play, Maye threw into traffic and McKinney intercepted the ball at the New England 14. Love scrambled for a touchdown two plays later, giving Green Bay an early 7-0 lead.

Injuries affected both rosters. Packers linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper left early with a chest injury, and running back Josh Jacobs exited with a hand injury. Wide receiver Bo Melton was evaluated for a concussion. For the Patriots, left guard Ben Brown limped off with a knee injury in the second quarter. Special teams player Brenden Schooler left with a hamstring issue, and left tackle Will Campbell walked off with a knee injury in the fourth quarter.

Watson and Golden became the first Packers teammates to have 150 or more receiving yards and a touchdown catch in the same game since Don Hutson and Andy Uram did so in 1942. The Packers will host the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday. The Patriots will travel to Munich, Germany, to play the Detroit Lions next Sunday.