Green Bay Packers Vs. New Orleans Saints: Who Has The Edge?

The Green Bay Packers have made just two trips to New Orleans since Aaron Rodgers took over as quarterback in 2008.

In 2008, Rodgers threw three interceptions, the Saints rolled up 421 total yards and New Orleans cruised to a 51-29 win.

In 2014, Rodgers threw two interceptions, the Saints piled up nearly 500 yards of total offense and routed Green Bay, 44-23.

Rodgers and the Packers (2-0) will hope for better when they travel to New Orleans (1-1) Sunday at 7:20 p.m.

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome has a capacity of 74,295. In this season of COVID-19, the Saints will have just 750 family members of players, coaches and staff at Sunday’s game.

“It’s a tough environment to play in,” Rodgers said. “New Orleans, Atlanta, Minnesota for so many years. There’s some domes that are just a little bit different. It’s a tough place to play. I think the biggest thing is going to be the energy.”  

Here’s a look at each positional group and which team has the edge.

QUARTERBACKS

Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers is off to a fast start, with six touchdowns and no interceptions through two games. Rodgers has completed 67.6% of his throws and has a passer rating of 119.4.

“He’s been very sharp,” Packers quarterbacks/passing game coordinator Luke Getsy said. “I think he’s off to a good start. It was that way though camp and I think these first couple weeks are just an extension of him coming in ready to go this camp and doing a great job in the offseason mentally preparing and getting his body ready to go. He’s done a really good job.”

New Orleans’ Drew Brees holds NFL records for most career passing yards (77,888), most career pass completions (6,911), most career touchdown passes (550) and highest career completion percentage (67.5%).

Brees, 41, is off to a slow start, though, and many are already shoveling dirt on his grave. His arm strength has slipped and he’s taking fewer shots downfield than ever before.

Brees does remain extremely accurate and gets the ball out faster than any quarterback in football. That figures to pose a huge challenge for the Packers.

“It’s really hard to replicate that tempo in practice, and I’d like to think hopefully our scout team this week has been able to,” Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said of Brees. “They’ve done a pretty good job, but there’s no substitute for the real thing. They get up on the ball and they go. They want you back on your heels and kind of reacting.

“It’s a credit to them. It’s a system that has worked for a long time, and especially early in the game, there’s stuff that’s scripted out. They get you going all different directions, get your eyes going bad places and get you back on your heels. It’s something we have to avoid.”

Jameis Winston, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft, is the backup. Ex-Packer Taysom Hill is a gadget player who could see time at quarterback and/or wide receiver. Much has been made of Green Bay losing Hill in 2017, but he’s already 30 years old, has a career passer rating of 46.6 and has just 1,065 all-purpose yards.

ADVANTAGE: Packers

RUNNING BACKS

Green Bay’s Aaron Jones leads the NFL in rushing yards (234) and total yards from scrimmage (312), is averaging a league-high 6.9 yards per carry (for players with at least 25 carries) and is tied for first in the league with four touchdowns.

“He’s just a mismatch everywhere he goes,” Packers wideout Davante Adams said of Jones. “Running the ball, we obviously know what he can do, and then he has the ability to just embarrass any linebackers if they’re foolish enough to put a linebacker on him.”

Jamaal Williams, who like Jones is in his fourth season, is averaging a career-best 5.6 yards per carry.

Together, Williams and Jones have helped the Packers surge to No. 1 in the NFL in rushing yards per game (208.5) and yards per carry (6.22).

New Orleans’ Alvin Kamara is one of the most dangerous dual threats in the league. Kamara has roughly 4,500 yards from scrimmage in his first three seasons, averaged 4.9 yards per run and had 81 catches each year.

“His game speed is just phenomenal,” Packers defensive end Dean Lowry said of Kamara. “I think you have to key on him wherever he’s at. You can tell he’s faster than those numbers that you just said. He’s somebody that when the ball is in his hands he is so elusive, he has great vision, he’s shifty and he’s really one of the elite backs in the NFL.”

Latavius Murray, who played in Oakland and Minnesota earlier in his career, is one of the more dangerous No. 2 running backs in football. Murray went to a Pro Bowl in 2015, can grind out the tough yards between the tackles and has 39 career rushing touchdowns.

ADVANTAGE: Even

RECEIVERS

The Saints will be without Michael Thomas (ankle), widely considered the best receiver in football. Green Bay Pro Bowler Davante Adams is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury and will be a game-time decision.

That means both teams will likely be without their aces.

In New Orleans, veteran Emanuel Sanders was expected to give the Saints’ passing game a lift. Instead, he has just four catches for 38 yards and one touchdown in his first two games.

Talented third-year man Tre’Quan Smith has seen the most targets since Thomas went down. Smith, who had five touchdowns last year, caught five passes for 86 yards last week.

The Saints’ top target Sunday could be ex-Packer tight end Jared Cook. Cook, 33, doesn’t run like he once did. He did have nine touchdowns a year ago, though, and is a favorite of Drew Brees in the red zone.

“There are two things that come to mind for me with him,” Saints coach Sean Payton said of Cook. “No. 1, I think for a player of his experience and his years in the league, I think he is in outstanding shape. He has very good stamina and I think that’s served him well as a player.

“And then secondly, clearly, he has a real good grasp as to what we’re doing and the confidence that that Drew (Brees) has with some of the details in the passing game.”

When Adams went down with a turf toe injury in 2019, the Packers went 4-0 and averaged 32.5 points per game.

“Yeah man, they don’t need me,” Adams said. “They don’t need me. That’s what it boils down to.

“Nah, I’m messing with you. It just shows that our guys are mentally tough enough to be able to step up.”

If Adams misses this week, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard will see a heavy workload. The Packers also activated Darrius Shepherd on Saturday.

ADVANTAGE: Even

OFFENSIVE LINE

New Orleans has one of the top lines in football, led by left tackle Terron Armstead and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk. Armstead is one of the best pass blockers in football. Ramczyk, a former University of Wisconsin standout, was the NFL’s highest rated tackle last year by Pro Football Focus.

Second-year center Erik McCoy has been extremely dependable, while versatile left guard Andrus Peat has also excelled at tackle. Right guard Cesar Ruiz was a first-round draft pick in April and could eventually transition to center.

“I think their offensive line is pretty darn good,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “It’s one of the better O-lines.”

Green Bay has juggled its line early in the year due to injuries, but the unit has been terrific. This week, Billy Turner (knee) is expected back, but it remains unclear if he’ll return to the right guard spot he played in 2019, move to right tackle or be Green Bay’s top reserve.

“I think it just speaks to those guys and their preparation,” Packers offensive line coach Adam Stenovich said of his line. “You can talk to them as much as you want as a coach and (say), ‘Hey get ready for this, get ready for that, take a few reps here, take a few reps there.’ But you can’t give them all the looks that they’re going to see. So obviously, they do a lot of work behind the scenes so it’s a credit to them, just how they can handle themselves, go in with confidence and play well.”

ADVANTAGE: Saints

DEFENSIVE LINE

Saints’ left end Cameron Jordan has been one of the top pass rushers in football for years. Jordan has played in three straight Pro Bowls, five overall and has 87.0 sacks since entering the league in 2011.

New Orleans acquired the 14^th pick in the 2018 draft from Green Bay, then selected right end Marcus Davenport. In his first two seasons, Davenport notched 10.5 sacks and has flashed Pro Bowl ability.

Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, a first-round pick in 2016, is a high-level player in both the run and pass game. Malcolm Brown, another first round pick in 2015, completes a deep and ultra-talented unit.

This group is a big reason the Saints have gone 45 straight games without allowing a 100-plus yard rusher, the longest active streak in the NFL.

“They do a great job,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of the Saints’ front. “You can tell they’re fundamentally sound, they’re gap sound. Their scheme is really challenging. They’re going to throw a lot of different looks at you, a lot of different personnel groupings, and they are a game-plan team. They’re going to come out, have a specific plan for us.”

Green Bay hopes to get defensive tackle Kenny Clark back. Clark left the Packers’ opener in Minnesota with a groin injury, but returned to practice on a limited basis late last week.

“Yeah, of course. I mean, it’s one of our best players,” Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said. “I mean, it’s just such a lift to have him out there and then just his level of play is just how consistent, I mean, that’s really what I think Kenny, that’s what I think it was just a guy that just fills the grade sheet with pluses and he makes big plays. But he’s super consistent. I mean, it’s rare that he has a game where you say, wow, that was a bad game. He obviously would be a very welcome back and can’t wait to get them out there. And we’re hopeful that it’s going to be this weekend.”

ADVANTAGE: Saints

LINEBACKERS

The Saints are extremely thin here with veteran middle linebacker Kiko Alonso on the reserve/PUP list with a knee injury.

Weakside linebacker Demario Davis, a free agent acquisition in 2018, has led the team in tackles each of the last two seasons. Athletic Alex Anzalone has been injury prone since his days at Florida and struggles to disengage from blocks. Strongside ‘backer Kaden Elliss is the son of former Detroit Pro Bowl defensive lineman Luther Elliss, but isn’t nearly as gifted as his father.

After somewhat of an invisible rookie year, Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary is on the rise. Gary leads Green Bay with four pressures, is second on the team with 1.5 sacks, and has allowed the Packers to use Pro Bowl outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith in multiple spots.

“It’s great. For the defense, it’s creating a lot of different looks up front,” Preston Smith said of Gary. “We’re having those rushers, all of us on the field at one time or us rotating and creating different looks and keeping guys fresh and keeping tackles and offensive lines guessing when we hit the field because they don’t know what they’re going to get.

“They don’t know if it’s going to be me, ‘Z’ or Rashan, with the different packages we have and the mix-ups we have, they don’t know and they have to kind of prepare for all of us which is kind of frustrating in a lot of ways because they have to prepare for three different guys lining up across from them.”

ADVANTAGE: Packers

SECONDARY

Green Bay’s Chandon Sullivan had an interception return for a touchdown last week. That was the first by a Packer since Dec. 9, 2018, when cornerback Bashaud Breeland did so against Atlanta.

“You never know somebody’s circumstances or their situation when it comes to another team, anything could be a factor in that, but from day one we’ve seen he was a smart, savvy player, definitely could move, really good in the slot,” Kevin King said of Sullivan. “I knew it was just a matter of time, he had a great vet with Tramon Williams last year, kind of felt the ropes with that. But Chandon was definitely ready to take that next step and we’re seeing it. I’m happy for him, I’m happy to play with him, happy just to get the ball rolling with him.”

The Saints have an extremely deep and talented unit.

Right cornerback Marshon Lattimore was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2017 and is a two-time Pro Bowler. Since the start of the 2017 season, Pro Football Focus ranks Lattimore as the 10^th-best corner in football.

Veteran corner Janoris Jenkins was released by the New York Giants late last year, signed by New Orleans and returned on a restructured deal.

Strong safety Malcolm Jenkins, who turns 33 later this season, was signed in free agency to provide stability in back. The Saints are crossing their fingers that Malcolm Jenkins still has something left.

Free safety Marcus Williams is a ball-hawk, but has been plagued by inconsistency.

ADVANTAGE: Even

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Saints’ Will Lutz has made 87.5% of his career field goals, while punter Thomas Morstead has a career gross average of 46.8 yards. Together, they form one of the top kicker/punter duos in football.

New Orleans return ace Deonte Harris is just 5-foot-6, 170 pounds. But the undrafted Harris made the Pro Bowl as a rookie last season after averaging 26.8 yards per kick return, 9.4 yards per punt and scoring one touchdown.

“He’s the Pro Bowl returner, an All-Pro last year and stuff as a rookie,” Packers special teams coach Shawn Mennega said of Harris. “He’s dangerous and electric. Every time he gets the ball, he’s a threat to go the distance in both punt returns and kick returns.

“He’s got really good vision and really good balance and he was able to make those full-speed cuts that not a lot of guys can make and extremely illusive. Yeah, he’s as good as they are right now. There’s several really good returners and he’s right up there with them. If not at the top.”

Green Bay punter JK Scott missed practice earlier this week with a personal issue, but is expected to play.

ADVANTAGE: Saints

COACHING

Green Bay’s Matt LaFleur has started his career with an impressive 15-3 record (.833). LaFleur led the biggest one-year win improvement in Packer history last season and became the first coach in franchise history to lead his team to a division title in his first season.

New Orleans’ Sean Payton is the NFL’s second-longest tenured coach behind only New England’s Bill Belichick. Payton was hired on Jan. 18, 2006 — 10 days after Green Bay hired Mike McCarthy.

Payton has an overall record of 132-78 (.629), he’s 8-7 in the postseason and led the Saints to six NFC South titles — including the last three. Payton has guided New Orleans to a win in Super Bowl XLIV and three NFC Championship games.

ADVANTAGE: Even

Prediction: Packers 30, Saints 27

Season Record: 2-0