Week 1 Packers @ Saints (game thread)

[milani]

This two week wait is much worse than a bye week. At least with typical bye week, we've watched a bunch of regular season games and don't mind a break by then.

The pause prior to Week 1 is a blue ball move by the NFL.

Yes. I know teams needed to get the roster straight and ready. But do you think a week late in the season would feel better? But $$$$ is what talks.

 

[Krabs]

Good assessment. Until last year I do not think we beat the Saints down there since 1993. Good not to have exactly that crowd. I fear Kamara. No Drew Brees. Sean Payton is a good game planner when he gets two weeks. 1st game can be unpredictable. Guys are rusty on both sides. Treat the game like you would in Week 15 or 16.

Problem is, the Saint don't have a weapon that will help distract the defense from Kamara. The defense can key on him and try to stop him. No doubt a special player, but that should be the focus. Stop Kamara first.

 

[gopkrs]

This two week wait is much worse than a bye week. At least with typical bye week, we've watched a bunch of regular season games and don't mind a break by then.

The pause prior to Week 1 is a blue ball move by the NFL.

Hasn't bothered me. But have been busy. And now I'm ready. I still like pre-season. We really got a good look imo at a bunch of players and were able to do a decent sift job. I enjoy picking out some of the players that stand out (to me) also.

 

[gopkrs]

Problem is, the Saint don't have a weapon that will help distract the defense from Kamara. The defense can key on him and try to stop him. No doubt a special player, but that should be the focus. Stop Kamara first.

Except if Payton can coach up Winston; then Winston can throw it. Or if Winston just has a good game. Agree that we should be in the driver's seat.

 

[hasamikun]

To be honest, and I hope Karma is hitting me for saying this, but I am not scared of the Saints offense or defense. They lost tons of talent to injuries and FA.

The offense basically only has Kamara as a proven star, outside of the OL. Winston is a total wildcard, but I dont think Winston has done a total 180 with his biiig issues. He still gonna take stupid chances and Packers need to be there.
Their defense has a solid DL, ILB seems really whack and the DBs behind Lattimore are just not good. The Packers depth at WR should beat the Saints' depth at CB.

The one thing that can kill the Packers are if Newman and Patrick dont hold up. Patrick didnt look like a good LG and Newman is a rookie. The iOL is gonna be under fire all game and LaFleur better comes prepared for this. But I have total faith in him and all the others guys involved.

Packers are in the drivers seat because they have the better roster overall, Rodgers and because the Saints lost their homefield advantage. My guess is its somewhere around 30-20 for the Pack.

 

[OldSchool101]

We came out of the gate red hot and firing on all cylinders last season Offensively
43 points at US Bank
42 points at Lambeau (Detroit)
37 points at Mercedes Benz
30 Points at Lambeau (Atlanta)
To start 4-0 before the bye week.

Im not sure how much was attributed to no fans in the stadiums etc.. but we came out guns a blazing and the Offenses seemed to have the slight advantage early.
-Tampa gave up 34 points to the Saints in their 2020 week 2 loss etc..

I think we can put up 30-35 range on the Saints week 1 at a neutral site? Lots of Packer fans will be there. I don’t doubt NO could move the ball also, but can they stop Rodgers and likely the best stable of WR’s since 2016 (or beyond) However this time we’ve got A Jones + AJ Dillon vs. Jamaal in 2016.

 

[El Guapo]

The one thing that can kill the Packers are if Newman and Patrick dont hold up. Patrick didnt look like a good LG and Newman is a rookie. The iOL is gonna be under fire all game and LaFleur better comes prepared for this. But I have total faith in him and all the others guys involved.

I think that Patrick will hold up. IMO - he is a decent guard. However, much like a Kirk Cousins at QB, Patrick needs good players around him to look good. When playing with the #1s I expect him to be solid again.

 

[milani]

Problem is, the Saint don't have a weapon that will help distract the defense from Kamara. The defense can key on him and try to stop him. No doubt a special player, but that should be the focus. Stop Kamara first.

Payton will dial up plays to the strength of his players. Against good defenses they will struggle. Against ours???

 

[PackerfaninCarolina]

Except if Payton can coach up Winston; then Winston can throw it. Or if Winston just has a good game. Agree that we should be in the driver's seat.

Well I definitely think if he can do what he did with Bridgewater that Winston definitely fits a similar mold, and certainly I would expect him to have better success in NO than he did in Tampa. However, the Saints are a bit depleted in weapons this year, at least while Michael Thomas is still out. Pretty telling when you gotta put Ty Montgomery back at WR.

Now, we do gotta be prepared for their unconventional offense aka the Hill package. No doubt Payton will be pulling the wildcat with him a few times either as a running QB or motioning out as a receiver. But I feel like you can only do that so many times before defenses catch on to the general idea.

Payton will dial up plays to the strength of his players. Against good defenses they will struggle. Against ours???

That is the million dollar question. I feel like we finally have the players to make us capable of once again being a top 10 or possibly even a top 5 defense. The two questions will be will they stay healthy? And will Barry use them effectively?

I have a good feeling right now that they will surprise. But then again we have been burned before like 2004 so ... We'll probably have to wait a few weeks to really know how good they are.

 

[Krabs]

Payton will dial up plays to the strength of his players. Against good defenses they will struggle. Against ours???

The defensive line is suspect. The ILBs are questionable. They have special players though all over that defense. Clark, Smiths, Alexander, Amos...

I would categorize that as a good defense. Not great, but good.

 

[thequick12]

Gotta be a W, I think it will be

 

[milani]

The defensive line is suspect. The ILBs are questionable. They have special players though all over that defense. Clark, Smiths, Alexander, Amos...

I would categorize that as a good defense. Not great, but good.

And maybe since theirs is not much better it is a toss up. Comes down to coaching and execution.

 

[AmishMafia]

I like this matching for the Packers. Winston is not going to have a great season. He may develop into dependable later in the season, but now he will be less than adequate. Kamara will be the focus and the Packers should be able focus on him. Looking forward to seeing the new ILB combo.

Our offense should put up some big numbers and move the ball fairly well.

Packers 38 Saints 16.

 

[OldSchool101]

I like this matching for the Packers. Winston is not going to have a great season. He may develop into dependable later in the season, but now he will be less than adequate. Kamara will be the focus and the Packers should be able focus on him. Looking forward to seeing the new ILB combo.

Our offense should put up some big numbers and move the ball fairly well.

Packers 38 Saints 16.

If we use this Star position for additional run support, that puts an extra man in the box keying on the ball carrier. I think it will be effective in disrupting opponents RB early. Kamara is crafty, but if he’s tripped up and disrupted behind the LOS it gives the other defenders an extra 1-2 sec to swarm. He’s much more dangerous (hard to tackle) once into the secondary.

I would stop the running game and make this a Winston vs. Rodgers match.

 

[Mondio]

I like this matching for the Packers. Winston is not going to have a great season. He may develop into dependable later in the season, but now he will be less than adequate. Kamara will be the focus and the Packers should be able focus on him. Looking forward to seeing the new ILB combo.

Our offense should put up some big numbers and move the ball fairly well.

Packers 38 Saints 16.

I'm almost the opposite LOL

I think Peyton is a good coach and I think they'll have Winston running some good plays, plays that will work by design because the defense will not have seen them yet. I think by week 5 the league has it figured out and Winston will become a turnover machine again.

I don't think he'll be enough to beat GB as long as GB plays well. Of course if we play like crap anything is possible, but both teams playing at 70-80% potential or higher and GB wins IMO.

But I think Winston is limited. He can launch a ball, but if the preordained play isn't open he doesn't know what to do with it and gets very loose with it. Peyton will have the first look opened by design and he'll look pretty good the first couple weeks. But as defense catch on, and that first look doesn't work anymore because everyone knows his tendency, he'll get careless with the ball again when forced to look elsewhere.

 

[tynimiller]

I think we have hiccups on defense but in the end tighten up in the third quarter.

I'll predict a Green Bay win with a score of 34-27...but Saints put up 10 in fourth while all we do is 3...making us all get a little nervous.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

As this article points out, this isn't the Saints team of the past 2 years. Lots of changes and questionable starters and even more questionable depth. Stop Kamara and this should be a Win for the Packers.

The New Orleans Saints’ depth chart is bizarre heading into week 1 game vs. Packers

While there are a few weird quirks on the Saints’ roster, the players listed on the two-deep at one defensive tackle position are truly mind-blowing.

www.acmepackingcompany.com

 

[OldSchool101]

As this article points out, this isn't the Saints team of the past 2 years. Lots of changes and questionable starters and even more questionable depth. Stop Kamara and this should be a Win for the Packers.

The New Orleans Saints’ depth chart is bizarre heading into week 1 game vs. Packers

While there are a few weird quirks on the Saints’ roster, the players listed on the two-deep at one defensive tackle position are truly mind-blowing.

www.acmepackingcompany.com

That is strange. It’s like the Packer graveyard down there.
Also there were rumors that Saints unofficial depth chart recently listed
QB #3 as none other than Jordan Love. Before this could be substantiated though he was promptly removed from the depth chart altogether. I think they’re toying with us!

 

[PackerfaninCarolina]

Just under 2 more days. I'm watching tonight though to get my football on. I sure miss having that shoutbox there to comment on the games as we wait.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm watching tonight though to get my football on.

For once in my life. I'm pulling for the Cowboys to win. We don't need a dynasty created in the wrong Bay.

 

[PackerfaninCarolina]

Oh man, and Dan Quinn just called a Mike Pettine play right before half. Hangin in but man oh man, allowed another deep ball from old timer

 

[realitybytez]

meathead almost got his boys to an upset win, but in the end they left just over a minute for brady to pull off the win - which was way too much time.

 

[rmontro]

My main concern is that sometimes we don't play so well in Florida, we tend to wilt in the heat. I expect a win though. After all the nonsense of this offseason, I want to see some results.

 

[I asked LT to delete my acct]

Will Aaron play ?

 

[OldSchool101]

Will Aaron play ?

play what? Which Aaron? Play where?