That relaxing, Packers-free Sunday afternoon -- afforded by Green Bay's appearance on "Monday Night Football" -- created ample opportunity for deer hunting, early Christmas shopping and some last-minute yard work.

As it turns out, it may have been a preview of things to come.

Overmatched and embarrassed in a nationally televised 51-29 loss to New Orleans, the Packers had the look of a team that will watch the playoffs from the sofa rather than the sidelines.

Saints' quarterback Drew Brees sliced, diced and dissected a once proud secondary and the Packers' offense crumbled after an injury to tackle Mark Tauscher and a disheveled outing by Aaron Rodgers.

With a 5-6 record and a game separating them from NFC North co-leaders Minnesota and Chicago (who square off in a matchup Sunday night), the Packers' mission is clear: they have to address their woefully inept pass rush and restore a sense of urgency to the operation.

Some observations from a lost evening in the Big Easy:

Whoops: New Orleans defensive back Jason David picked off a pass from Rodgers and returned it 42 yards. Greg Jennings slipped on the play, which didn't help matters. Rodgers took out some of his frustration with a jarring hit that knocked David out of bounds at the three. Rodgers threw six interceptions in the first 10 games, but finished with three on Monday.

What was he thinking? If the Packers had put up a better fight, Saints coach Sean Payton would be facing tough questions about calling a gadget play -- a wide receiver pass that ended in an Aaron Rouse interception. Drew Brees was doing just fine throwing the ball. He didn't need any help.

Missing in action: Though Reggie Bush didn't play for the Saints because of a knee injury, the Packers' kickoff unit performed horribly. A 62-yard runback by Courtney Roby paved the way for a field goal before halftime.

Just wondering: How does Packers' punter Derrick Frost still have a job? The guy is horrible. The Packers should spend the week auditioning holders and let Mason Crosby punt for the rest of the season. No way could he do worse.

No chance: Running back Ryan Grant continued to show great burst, but the Packers were too far behind and had to abandon the ground game.

On the Mark: Tauscher's contract quest may have gotten a push Monday. The Packers don't have a viable alternative to replace him. Johnny Jolly is a pretty important guy, too.

Numbing numbers: The Packers last allowed 51 points in a game during the Forrest Gregg era. The Saints hadn't scored that many points in more than three decades.

MVP? Brees completed 20 of 26 passes, including two 70 yards. He seemed to find open receivers all over the field.

No rush: The one consistent facet of the Packers' game during this topsy-turvy season has been a complete lack of a pass rush. Brees had too much time to get comfortable and find receivers. It's no fluke that the guy leads the league in passing yards. He's good.

Enough already: The Packers have one more game on "Monday Night Football." Maybe by then Tony Kornheiser will have overcome his Brett Favre fixation ... but don't bet on it.