Good morning, everyone. On Sunday night, the Green Bay Packers will play against the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome. This game might have some playoff implications in terms of seeding, even though it is only the third week of the NFL season. I am here to give you my thoughts on what the Packers need to do to get their third win of the season against the Saints. Without any delay, let’s get right into it.
On offense, it all starts with running the football. With Davante Adams unlikely to play on Sunday night (he is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury), I think that Aaron Jones is going to have a big game against the Saints. In addition to his great running ability, I am sure that he (along with Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon) will be used in the passing game in creative ways on Sunday night. Speaking of the passing game, I have hope that the other receivers (including Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling) will make a big impact in Adams’ absence, which will be likely. I also think that the tight ends and running backs will get some catches from QB Aaron Rodgers. Even without Adams (likely), I think that Rodgers will still have no problem finding the open guy and throwing each pass accurately. The best things that the receivers can do to help Rodgers is to win their one on ones against the Saints secondary and catch every ball that is thrown by him without any drops. I am sure that LaFleur will come up with creative ways to get those receivers open for easy catches. It all starts with the offensive line creating the running lanes and protecting Rodgers from any sacks or pressures. One thing that the Packers need to do on Sunday night is to continue winning the time of possession battle. This case be done by converting third downs (especially in clutch situations) and avoiding turnovers of any kind. At the same time, the offense needs to avoid wasting timeouts and penalties that could mess up drives. In the red zone, the Packers need to score touchdowns instead of settling for field goals to put more pressure on the Saints. As long as the offense limits their mistakes, I think that the Packers will have a good chance of putting up at least 30 points on Sunday night (although I am hoping for a third straight game of over 40 points scored).
On defense, the key for the Packers is to keep Alvin Kamara in check, both in the running game and in the passing game. After missing last week’s game against the Lions, I hope that Kenny Clark can come back to help the defensive line stop the run. Even if he comes back, I am sure that he will get some help from the linebackers, who include Rashan Gary and the duo of Preston and Za’Darius Smith (plus Christian Kirksey and Krys Barnes). If they can stop the run, then the defense will be able to go after Drew Brees, assuming that he does not throw short passes all game long. The key for the pass rush is to keep Brees in the pocket and get in his face as he throws. I hope that the Packers get a few sacks of Brees on Sunday night. Even if they don’t get the sack every time, getting in his face can force him to throw passes that can easily be intercepted by the defensive backs. Speaking of the defensive backs (including Jaire Alexander, Kevin King, and Chandon Sullivan), they need to cover the Saints receivers (minus Michael Thomas, who is out with a high ankle sprain) very well and not allow any easy catches. The defense also needs to account for tight end Jared Cook, who could have a big game if not covered well enough. It is also important for the defense to not have any broken tackles that could turn into chunk plays for New Orleans. As always, the defense needs to limit the number of third downs converted by the Saints offense to help the Packers win the time of possession battle. I hope that the defense gets a couple of turnovers, whether they be interceptions of Drew Brees or forced fumbles. The defense also needs to keep the Saints offense from scoring too many touchdowns when they get in the red zone. It will be tough on Sunday night, but I have plenty of confidence that the defense will get the job done in every quarter to help the Packers win the game.
The key for the Special Teams unit is to avoid costly mistakes, including turnovers and penalties. The return unit needs to cover the kickoff and punt returns well and not allow a big play to happen. This is, of course, assuming that there are kickoffs and punts that are not going to be a touchback or fair caught (or downed by the kicking team). On the other side, the returners need to make the most out of any opportunity for a big return. The blockers need to do their part in making key blocks without committing holding or block in the back penalties that could nullify any big return. If there is no chance for a big return, the returner needs to be smart with the ball and not fumble it when going for a fair catch. When they are called upon, Mason Crosby needs to make all of his kicks (including field goals and extra points) and JK Scott needs to punt the ball deep into New Orleans territory. Hunter Bradley needs to snap the ball accurately to make sure that everything goes smoothly with the field goals and punts. The rest of the line needs to keep the kicks from being blocked by the Saints. On the other end, I hope that there is a blocked punt or field goal by the Packers not only on Sunday night, but multiple times this season. As long as there are no major mistakes on Special Teams, I think that the Packers will be fine there.
Doing all of these things will help the Packers win their third game of the season. The last time that the Packers won in New Orleans was in Super Bowl XXXI against the Patriots. In addition to that, the Saints have a 10-0 record at home on Sunday Night Football with Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton. I think that the Packers can change both of these on Sunday night. As always, I hope that there are no additional major injuries for either team during the game (knock on wood). Stay tuned for my post-game thoughts on the game sometime on Monday. Have a great day, everyone. Go Pack Go!
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