Packers nip 0-4 Saints

GREEN BAY - As if bearing the brunt of the call that ultimately led to the end of the NFL's replacement officials wasn't enough, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers nearly had a big comeback win undone with a blunder by the regular refs.

Rodgers threw a go-ahead touchdown to Jordy Nelson in the fourth quarter, and the Packers shook off a week's worth of controversy with a rally to beat the New Orleans Saints, 28-27, on Sunday.

With Packers fans howling about what appeared to be yet another bad call - this time by the regular officials, not the replacements - Garrett Hartley missed a 48-yard field-goal attempt with just under 3 minutes left, costing the Saints a shot at the lead.

Rodgers threw for 319 yards with four TDs and an interception for the Packers (2-2).

"I'm very proud of our football team, especially the week we've endured," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "We talk a lot about integrity and character, and I thought today's game had plenty of those types of situations where it showed up big."

Drew Brees threw for 446 yards with three TDs for the winless Saints (0-4). Brees has thrown at least one TD in 47 straight regular-season games, tying the NFL mark set by Johnny Unitas.

After their controversial loss to Seattle last Monday night, the Packers and their fans still nearly were dealt a crushing blow on a blown call.

After Rodgers' TD to Nelson, Darren Sproles appeared to fumble the ensuing kickoff but officials ruled that he was down by contact. Replays showed that the ball clearly came out but the Packers were out of replay challenges, leaving Packers fans screaming at the officials for the second week in a row.

McCarthy said he was frustrated because video replays "clearly illustrated" that it was a fumble.

Brees then led the Saints into field-goal range, and Hartley hit a 43-yard try - but the Saints were called for holding, forcing Hartley to line up a 53-yarder. The Packers then were called for encroachment, leaving Hartley to try a 48-yarder, which he missed wide left.

It was a sigh of relief for the Packers, who spent most of the week in the middle of a nationwide firestorm after a last-second decision by replacement officials cost them the game at Seattle. The play was a burden for the Packers to bear, but likely played a significant role in the NFL agreeing to a deal with its regular officials during the week.

Referee Jeff Triplette struck a triumphant tone during the pregame coin toss Sunday, announcing that "it's great to be back, gentlemen!" A handful of Packers fans came to the game dressed as officials, and some brought signs showing support for the regular refs.

The honeymoon didn't last long, though. Fans howled for an offensive pass interference call after Brees threw a 20-yard TD pass to Marques Colston late in the first quarter, but no flag was forthcoming. The boos intensified as a replay was shown on the stadium video boards.