2021 NFL Week 1: Packers vs. Saints Preview and Prediction

Alrighty then, Packers fans ... today begins the team's 17-week long trek to the Super Bowl (OK, 18 counting the bye week). We say that every year, don't we? Or at least we think that. And with QB Aaron Rodgers with a chip on his shoulder (he always plays well that way), a full cupboard of offensive weapons, and a defense that should be on the rise albeit under a new defensive coordinator and scheme, there's no reason to believe that Super Bowl hope — and hype — is a fantasy, barring injuries to key players, or course.

But it's one game at a time, as the saying goes. And today's game is against the now Drew Brees-less New Orleans Saints. The game was scheduled to be played in the Big Easy, but the recent hurricane that rolled through that area required relocating the game. To Jacksonville. Which should work, despite the heat and humidity, to the Packers' favor as a good portion of the stands will be occupied by Wisconsin transplants. In other words, this could wind up being in effect a Packers "home" game ... or home-away-from-home home game, anyway.

WR Davante Adams in a "Who? Me?" moment.

(Photo by William Glasheen, Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-W)

The Preview

Simple: Packers good (although after a preseason in which only a handful of starters played at all) ... Saints have injury and suspension issues. Should have been a home game for the Saints. Instead, moved to Jacksonville which may make it seem like almost a home game for the Packers with the plethora of Packer fans in the area. The Saints secondary will have problems covering all the receivers the Pack can put out there. And look for the Pack's running backs to contribute not only on the ground but through the air.

The Saints have a new starting QB in veteran Jameis Winston. He can make big plays. But he can also toss up a lot of interceptions. Expect the Packers defense to get at least one pick today. Saints RB Alvin Kamara gave the Pack fits in last season's game, so they will have to find a way to hold him in check. Perhaps running a lot of nickel schemes and shadowing him with either a defensive back or linebacker. The Saints are without their top receiver. And we don't even know who the kicker is...they didn't have one on their roster as late as Friday as their regular kicker is on injured reserve and they released their camp kicker in the last cutdown. So that situation could factor in.

The Prediction

Given the stability and talent on the side of the Packers and the instability at the moment on the part of the Saints, it seems as if the Pack should be favored by more than 3-1/2 points going into this game.

We see the Packers offense, even if they get off to a slightly out-of-sync start (which would be understandable), coming on strong over the course of this game. If the new defensive scheme can make use of the talent on that side of the ball and play even an average game (whatever that is, admittedly), the Packers should get the win in the Florida sun.

We're calling it Packers 38 - Saints 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

2020 NFL Week 3: Packers vs. Saints Preview and Prediction

The Green Bay Packers play the New Orleans Saints down Louisiana way tonight in the Pack's first primetime football game of the season. More on that in a moment.

But first, let's just quickly acknowledge the Pack's second straight division win of the young season last weekend vs. the Lions at Lambeau Field. Not your usual home opener with the dearth of fans due to Covid-19 restrictions, except for the fact that the Pack did to the Lions what they have usually done over the years: win. The Packers doubled up the Lions, 42-21 on a spectacular offensive performance, particularly by RB Aaron Jones (we rightly also need to acknowledge a good defensive effort). Jones rushed for a career high 165 yards and contributed significantly in the passing game as well, to finish with a load of all-purpose yardage to his credit. The downside was that WR Davante Adams, who just the week before against Minnesota tied legendary WR Don Hutson's Packers record of 14 receptions in a single game, left early in the game with a mild hamstring injury. That injury may keep him out of tonight's game, as well. Early reports are that he will be a game-time decision, but you can't imagine the team exposing him to longer-term injury if they can get by without him tonight. Better with him, definitely, but can't risk a season-long loss, either.

What about tonight against the Saints?

The oddsmakers give the Saints the home field advantage of 3 points to win. They also figure this to be a high-scoring game, with a total over-under of 52.5 points; given the two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks and both teams' potent pass and rush schemes, that's quite understandable. The Pack has sure been prolific in their first two games.

Given that both teams will likely be without their top receivers — Adams for the Packers and Michael Thomas for the Saints — expect both teams to exploit their running games to open up the passing game even more. The Saints will have to try to contain not only Jones on the Packers side of things but also Jamaal Williams.

Packers RB Jamaal Williams breaks away during the game at Minnesota.

He offers a powerful and explosive counterpoint to Aaron Jones,

giving the Saints a lot to worry about.

(Photo by Dan Powers, Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis)

We think that both teams' defenses will be challenged, despite how good they each are in their own ways. They each have their weaknesses, too. If Packers DT Kenny Clark is able to get on the field tonight that will certainly aid the Pack's defensive efforts.

The Prediction

We think that the Pack has just a bit more than the Saints across the board at this stage of the season. Taking away the crowd that brings such an advantage to the SuperDome means Rodgers and crew will be able to get their play calls made without the usual difficulty. So that is a plus for the Pack.

Still, wouldn't you expect a shootout?

We're calling it Packers 34 - Saints 31.

Go Pack Go!!!