The Green Bay Packers (5-3) fell victim to the wizardry of the Superdome, as a third-quarter hamstring injury to quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a collapse of Dom Capers' defense allowed the New Orleans Saints (3-4) to score 21 straight points and 28 of the final 35 in a 44-23 loss Sunday night in New Orleans. 

It was over when…

… Drew Brees threw his third touchdown pass of the second half, connecting with tight end Josh Hill for a two-yard score off playaction. However, it was Rodgers' injury that started a span of three empty offensive possessions, while a defense ill-equipped to get into a shootout allowed three-straight Saints touchdowns and 495 overall yards. Many factors ended this game. 

Game Balls

• Eddie Lacy: The Packers' bowling-ball back rushed for just 59 yards, but he caught a career high eight passes for 126 yards. He led the Packers in receptions and targets. Green Bay's dormant screen game came to life, and Lacy was effective late in the game as an underneath receiver. He's a natural catching the football, which highlights how complete a running back he really is. Lacy is also still a load to bring down, even with two or three tacklers. He might have broke 10-plus tackles Sunday night. 
• Letroy Guion: His assisted stop of Mark Ingram on fourth down to start the second half was a lone bright spot. The Packers gave up 172 rushing yards to Ingram and allowed Brees to complete 27-of-32 passes for 311 yards, three touchdowns (138.4 passer rating). The defense blew a big opportunity to shed its reputation against elite quarterbacks Sunday night.  
• Mason Crosby: Crosby made all three of his attempts (long of 49) to improve his season total to 11-of-12. He also gave the Packers a chance to recover both onside kick attempts, although neither was perfect and neither was actually recovered. 

Stat of the Game: 138.4

Or Brees' passer rating Sunday night. He's no joke in primetime at the Superdome, as all the stats will confirm. The Packers are just one of many defenses to face his fury and end up looking silly. But at some point, the Packers will need to play well against a top quarterback to get back to the Super Bowl. Sunday night was certainly not a confidence booster in that area. Brees put on a clinic, completing all 11 of his passes with three scores in the second half. 

Other Notes

-- The Packers at least continued their fast starts on offense. Rodgers had all day on the first drive to find Randall Cobb, who made the catch behind the defense for a 70-yard touchdown. Rodgers on the first drive over the last three weeks: 9/10, 210 yards and three touchdowns. 

-- Rodgers' injury seemed to deflate the offense, but that's no excuse for the defense's inability to tackle Mark Ingram or cover anyone of importance. The missed tackle numbers at Pro Football Focus Monday morning will likely resemble Week 1, when the Packers missed 18. Meanwhile, Brandin Cooks, a rookie receiver, went off for 98 total yards and two scores, and the Packers allowed beat-up Jimmy Graham to get hot in the second half. Of course, Capers' unit was without three preferred starters (Datone Jones, Sam Shields and Morgan Burnett) in the most unwelcoming of environments. This was still a clear step backwards for the defense. 

-- When is the last time the Packers beat a really good football team? It's a difficult question to answer. Maybe at Houston in 2012? Go scour the game logs. I'd peg the Packers at 1-3 against "good" teams this season, with the lone win coming down in Miami. And yes, the Saints—regardless of a 2-4 record coming in—qualify as a really good football team in the Superdome. There's a reason no one beats New Orleans in New Orleans. Again, getting to a Super Bowl will require beating a really good team. It's been a while since the Packers could confidently say they've accomplished such a feat. Another opportunity was lost Sunday night. 

-- Absolutely no problem with the surprise onside kick. In a game everyone assumed would be a track meet, Mike McCarthy tried to steal a possession. The Packers got the right look and nearly pulled it off. McCarthy talked this week about "shooting all your bullets," and the onside kick is part of his ammo. I think it would have gone over better had he not called for a end-zone slant to a defensive end a few plays earlier. 

-- The hamstring injury was a turning point, no question. McCarthy admitted after the game that the Packers essentially threw out a good chunk of the playbook after Rodgers tweaked his hamstring with 9:12 left in the third quarter. Rodgers had a 133.1 passer rating before the injury, and a 45.8 rating after, although the two picks were the result of a good defensive play (first) and a quarterback-receiver miscommunication (second). That said, Rodgers struggled to get out from center (had to go shotgun), had his mobility significantly limited and was reluctant to put weight on his left leg when throwing. It mattered. What also mattered was the Packers defense allowing empty possessions on offense to completely change the game, as the Saints ruptured big play after big play in the second half. So yes, the injury mattered; and yes, the defense collapsed. Add it up, and the Packers lose by three scores on the road. 

-- The Packers head into the bye at 5-3, with all three losses coming away from home. The final eight games include five at Lambeau Field, plus road games at Minnesota and Tampa Bay. The week off comes at a perfect time, as several big names, including Rodgers, Shields, Burnett, Jones and T.J. Lang, need to get healthy. Beating the sinking Chicago Bears in primetime at Lambeau on Nov. 9 would rid the Packers of this sour cajun taste. 

Zach Kruse contributes to Cheesehead TV. He is also the Lead Writer for the NFC North at Bleacher Report. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].