(CNN)With the reigning Most Valuable Player and arguably the NFL's champion wide receiver connected their team, a Super Bowl tally is the anticipation for the Green Bay Packers this season.
However, their 2021 campaign got disconnected to the worst imaginable start, being humbled 38-3 by the New Orleans Saints successful the opening week of the season.
2020 MVP Aaron Rodgers struggled throughout, throwing 2 interceptions -- helium lone threw 5 passim the entirety of past play -- portion Saints backmost Jameis Winston threw for 5 touchdowns.
Packers caput manager Matt LaFleur told the media his squad got "absolutely embarrassed," arsenic good arsenic calling the decision "humbling."
While Rodgers admitted that helium "played bad," helium stressed to the media that it was "just 1 game."
"We played bad. I played bad. Offensively, we didn't execute precise well. One game. We've got 16 to go," the 37-year-old explained.
"This is simply a bully footwear successful the you-know-where to hopefully get america going successful the close direction," Rodgers added.
Despite the team's struggles -- Rodgers was pulled from the crippled with 10:46 remaining to support him and let second-year backmost Jordan Love immoderate crippled clip -- helium believes that having this nonaccomplishment truthful aboriginal successful the play allows the Packers to close course.
"I deliberation easier," helium said. "We're coming disconnected a mates NFC Championship Games and evidently feeling bully astir the portion that we person connected offense. ... So this is simply a bully footwear successful the you-know-where. Hopefully get america going successful the close absorption going backmost location and playing a part hostile [Detroit] adjacent week."
The crippled was being played successful Jacksonville, Florida, due to the fact that of the effect Hurricane Ida is continuing to person connected Louisiana.
And afterwards, Winston stressed that the show and the triumph was "for the city" of New Orleans.
"So shoutout to the metropolis of New Orleans. We did that for them," helium told the media. "We knew however overmuch it would mean to get a large triumph for that region.
"They've been done truthful much. And for america to beryllium capable to observe this triumph with them, it's conscionable hats disconnected to them for their resilience due to the fact that they motivated us, they inspired america to travel retired determination and ball."
Chiefs coming back
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and tight-end Travis Kelce erstwhile again displayed their astir telepathic transportation connected Sunday night, playing starring roles successful their 33-29 comeback triumph against the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns raced into a richly-deserved archetypal fractional lead, starring 22-10 astatine the halftime interruption mostly acknowledgment to 2 touchdowns from superstar running-back Nick Chubb.
However, successful the 2nd half, the Chiefs -- led by Mahomes' brilliance -- came roaring back.
Shortly aft going into the 4th fourth with a nine-point deficit, Mahomes threw a touch-perfect 75-yard touchdown to Tyreek Hill connected the precise adjacent play.
Minutes later, Browns punter Jamie Gillan fumbled a snap, mounting up the Chiefs with fantabulous presumption successful the Browns half.
Mahomes duly took advantage, throwing his 2nd touchdown of the crippled to Kelce to springiness Kansas City a four-point lead.
A precocious interception from Browns backmost Baker Mayfield sealed the victory, handing the 2019 Super Bowl winners the cleanable commencement to the season.
Chiefs manager Andy Reid praised Mahomes aft his 337-yard, 3 touchdown performance.
"You emotion his cognition due to the fact that helium ever feels similar we're successful it," helium told the media.
"He does specified a large occupation with the guys astir him. He's a large communicator during pugnacious times connected the sideline."
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