Our weekly "Chips Report" will always include two blue chips (outstanding, exceptional play), two red chips (good, although maybe not great) and two cow chips (dud performances). From the Green Bay Packers' 44-23 loss to the New Orleans Saints...

Blue Chips

• Running back Eddie Lacy—Lacy had a career-high 123 receiving yards on eight receptions, showing reliability as a pass catcher coming out of the backfield. Several of his grabs came on screen passes, (used more in Week 8 than any other game this season) including one for 67 yards that set up a first-half field goal. In addition to 59 yards (4.5 ypc) on the ground, Lacy had over 180 yards from scrimmage on the night. His balance is elite amongst his peers, allowing him to absorb hits and stay on his feet.
• Wide receiver Randall Cobb—Cobb averaged over 25.0 yards per catch Sunday night, thanks in large part to hauling in a 70-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers for the Packers' first score of the game and out-running the defense to the end zone. It was his fifth touchdown catch in five straight games. In total, Cobb covered 126 yards on five receptions. On a rare night when Jordy Nelson wasn't a factor, Cobb picked up the slack, becoming the go-to target.

Red Chips

• Offensive lineman Josh Sitton—On a night when Packers quarterbacks were sacked four times, most of the pressure came off the edges because Sitton was a big part of keeping the middle of the pocket clean. He can also be singled out for a terrific hook block on a third quarter run play, springing Lacy for a nice gain. If only the Packers had chose to run behind their All-Pro left guard on their failed third quarter fourth-and-1 attempt.
• Kicker Mason Crosby—Crosby was a perfect three for three on field goals, each of which gave the Packers a temporary three-point lead. His conversion rate improved to 91.7 percent on the season (11 of 12 field goals). A long of 49 yards was the most impressive of the night. Crosby also converted two extra points and didn't allow a single kick return yard, hitting four touchbacks.

Cow Chips

• Cornerbacks Tramon Williams, Davon House—With Sam Shields out of the lineup due to a knee injury, the Packers' starting cornerback duo had an evening to forget, both in pass coverage and run support. Tramon Williams was picked on by Drew Brees for two consecutive touchdown passes in the third quarter, the first a deep post route by Brandin Cooks, and the latter on a leaping grab to tight end Jimmy Graham in the end zone. Those two touchdowns pushed the score from 16-16 to 30-16. House, meanwhile, got lost on a 45-yard completion to Kenny Stills on the Saints' first possession of the game, which set up the game-tying touchdown. He also whiffed on a tackle on Mark Ingram's final 21-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, one of several missed tackles by both cornerbacks throughout the evening.
• Offensive lineman Lane Taylor—Subbing for an injured T.J. Lang at right guard, Taylor got a rude awakening on his first series of the game, responsible for a three-yard loss by running back Eddie Lacy off right tackle. But the even more egregious error was Taylor getting blown up on the Packers' fourth-and-1 attempt in the third quarter when they were down seven points and still within striking distance of the Saints. Lang is said to have a sprained ankle and will be well-served with a bye week upcoming.

Brian Carriveau is the author of the book "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor at Cheesehead TV and its "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].