Packers vs Saints Discussion Thread

[Joemailman]

Packers lead all-time series 18-10.

Last meeting: September 24, 2023. Packers defeated the Saints 18-17 at Lambeau. Packers trailed 17-0 entering the 4th quarter before rallying for the win. Jordan Love threw for 259 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT and rushed for 39 yards and 1 TD. Romeo Doubs caught 5 passes for 73 yards and 1 TD. Jayden Reed caught 3 passes for 63 yards. Derek Carr started at QB for the Saints before being replaced by Jameis Winston in the 3rd quarter. Chris Olave caught 8 passes for 104 yards.

The Saints come into this game 5-9, off a 20-19 loss to the Washington Commanders. Thy are 5-5 in games that Derek Carr plays, but 0-4 when he is out. Reports are that he will likely not play this week. The likely starter is Spencer Rattler who completed 10-21 passes for 135 yards and 1 TD last week in relief of Jake Haener.

Offensively the Saints rank 18th in points scored and 15th in yards gained. Alvin Kamara leads the Saints in rushing with 950 yards and 6 TD's. He also leads them in receiving with 68 catches for 543 yards and 2 TD's. Before getting injured Chris Olave in 8 games caught 32 passes for 400 yards and 1 TD. Olave is eligible to return from IR, but not known if that will happen.

Defensively, the Saints rank 13th in points allowed but 30th in yards allowed. Opponents have completed 62% of passes for 3391 yards with just 14 TD's and 13 INT's. Opponents have rushed for 1881 yards and 16 TD's, averaging 4.9 YPC. Saints have sacked opposing QB's 37 times, led by Bryan Bresee with 7.5.

Packers are favored by 13.5.
Moneyline: Saints +525, Packers -750.
Over/under: 42.5.

[George Cumby]

13.5?!

Holy moley.

[Joemailman]

With Olave out, MVS has been quite productive lately. Has 14 catches, 352 yards and 4 TD's.

[MadtownPacker]

I’m glad my homeboy Carr is out. Now i can root for the total destruction of the Aints. Would like to see Jacobs set the tone but then see Wilson get significant carries.

[mgordo]

I’m glad my homeboy Carr is out. Now i can root for the total destruction of the Aints. Would like to see Jacobs set the tone but then see Wilson get significant carries.

I'd like to see a Marshawn Lloyd siting sometime this season.

[Teamcheez1]

13.5?!

Holy moley.

Likely due to Quay being out…..

[Joemailman]

Packers have scored 30+ 4 games in a row. Saints haven't scored 20 their last 3 games.

[Fritz]

I'd like to see a Marshawn Lloyd siting sometime this season.

I'm always intrigued as to whether coaches secretly decide to sit certain players against teams that the coach thinks his team should beat down. For example, let's say Jaire feels well enough to play on Monday. If you're The Flower, do you let him sit once more to make sure he's healed as much as possible, thinking that the Aints are bad enough you can get by with Eric Stokes playing one corner spot? Coaches won't admit to that sort of thing (except once in a while if they say "If it was a playoff game he'd be out there"), but surely the quality of their opponent must factor at least slightly into their thinking on whether certain players will suit up or not.

As tired as Kenny Clark has looked, I'd wonder about giving him the game off. He needs to get his legs back and get some pep in his step.

[Joemailman]

I'm always intrigued as to whether coaches secretly decide to sit certain players against teams that the coach thinks his team should beat down. For example, let's say Jaire feels well enough to play on Monday. If you're The Flower, do you let him sit once more to make sure he's healed as much as possible, thinking that the Aints are bad enough you can get by with Eric Stokes playing one corner spot? Coaches won't admit to that sort of thing (except once in a while if they say "If it was a playoff game he'd be out there"), but surely the quality of their opponent must factor at least slightly into their thinking on whether certain players will suit up or not.

As tired as Kenny Clark has looked, I'd wonder about giving him the game off. He needs to get his legs back and get some pep in his step.

Look closer at Clark. He's played pretty well the past 2-3 weeks. He only played 54% of snaps vs Seahawks. As long as they don't overuse him, he should be okay.

[run pMc]

Clark and Gary have played better overall since the bye.

Jaire is probably back but I wouldn't be surprised if it's on a pitch count. They need him for the Vikings and especially the playoffs.
If they can get out to a big lead it would be nice to give the starters some rest. Monday night game means it's a short week to prep for the Vikes.

Spencer Rattler is the starter. Kamara is banged up, and MVS is basically what they have at WR (Olave is out, Rashid Shaheed is too, so is Taysom Hill). They are an old and injured team but that defense is still proud and capable. I just think GB is too talented and too healthy to lose to NO at home.

[Fritz]

Look closer at Clark. He's played pretty well the past 2-3 weeks. He only played 54% of snaps vs Seahawks. As long as they don't overuse him, he should be okay.

I ought to do that.

I still would like to see them rest him, whether that's completely sitting out or getting far fewer snaps than he usually does. It's a long season, and he's "old." For an NFL defensivbe lineman, at least - he's getting there. Though I did read Calais Campbell is 38 and still a good run defender.

[Teamcheez1]

Morgan not coming back this year.
We sure don’t get a lot out of our 1st round picks.

[run pMc]

Morgan not coming back this year.
We sure don’t get a lot out of our 1st round picks.

Makes you wonder how Gute feels about Cooper Dejean.

[run pMc]

I ought to do that.

I still would like to see them rest him, whether that's completely sitting out or getting far fewer snaps than he usually does. It's a long season, and he's "old." For an NFL defensivbe lineman, at least - he's getting there. Though I did read Calais Campbell is 38 and still a good run defender.

They already do a lot of rotation on the DL, Kenny isn't taking as many snaps as he used to. He has a lot of miles on the odometer, and while a lighter load this week might set him up nicely for Garrett Bradbury next week, I don't think they'll give him a week off.
The Saints' OL is not great, so it's possible (but unlikely) the pass rush has a repeat performance. If I'm Hafley, I'd worry they try to do what the Bears did with a lot of quick game stuff and try to limit number of possessions in the game. Spencer Rattler is no Caleb Williams, and MVS is no Odunze.

The Saints are decimated by injuries and overcooking their cap to where it will probably take them 2-3 seasons to unwind it. Meanwhile they have lots of old players. That's going to be a team fighting with the Panthers for 3rd place for a couple of seasons.

This is absolutely a game GB should win. They have talent, health, momentum, and home field advantage.

[Joemailman]

Wes Hodkiewicz
@weshod.bsky.social

CB Jaire Alexander was back for Thursday’s non-padded (and snowy) practice.

S Javon Bullard (ankle) & LB Quay Walker (ankle) were only non-participants.
#Packers