Week 7 Preview: Packers vs Saints
Green Bay, W.I.~ The past two weeks for the Green Bay Packers, 4-2, have been a roller coaster to say the least. In Week 5 in Dallas the Aaron Rodgers led the Pack to a comeback win over the Cowboys. But then last week Rodgers broke his collarbone on a hit from Anthony Barr as Green Bay lost to the Vikings.
Aaron Rodgers is carted off the field after his injury
This week the Packers take on the New Orleans Saints, who started the season 0-2 but have won 3 straight, at Lambeau Field.
One of the key factors in tomorrow’s game is going to be defensive lineman Cameron Jordan. Jordan could get to the quarterback a little easier Sunday due to all the Packers injuries on the offensive line. The Packers expect to see Jordan on the edges and interior of the line, just like he did against Detroit last week. Green Bay’s front line needs to stay on their toes blocking Jordan, as he is very disruptive wherever he plays.
If the Packers want to win they are going to have to pressure New Orleans future HOF quarterback Drew Brees. Brees has been a Packer killer in his NFL career. Playing in five games against Green Bay, he has 15 touchdown passes and only one interception. In four straight games with a passer rating above 109.0, to go along with five games over 300 yards in passing. He and the Saints have averaged 38 points in his career. If the Dom Capers defense can get to the Brees the Packers can win the game. If not it could get ugly, because Brett Hundley is not going to win a shootout against one of the greatest of all-time.
Brees passes against Green Bay in 2013
Just because the Packers have many injuries on the offensive line does not mean it will defeat them. They have plenty of options at wide receiver and tight end in Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Ty Montgomery, Martellus Bennett, and Lance Kendricks. All of these targets can get open in the short passing game. Nelson and Adams can get open on slants and comebacks and Cobb, Montgomery, and Jones can pick p yards after catch.
Prediction – With Green Bay’s injuries on the offensive line , defense, and most importantly the quarterback position I think the Saints are too over-powering in this matchup. If Hundley can complete some nice passes and let the big names do the work it will be close.
Saints 35
Packers 24
By Jacob Szczap