First look: Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints, Jameis Winston era starts for Saints

The Green Bay Packers meet the New Orleans Saints Sunday for their regular-season openers at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla., due to the effects of Hurricane Ida. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Packers vs. Saints odds and lines; check back for our NFL picks and predictions.

This will be the first season in Saints head coach Sean Payton’s 15-year tenure New Orleans didn’t have future Hall of Fame QB Drew Brees under center to start the season. Taking the reins will be second-year QB Jameis Winston who won the preseason starting quarterback competition against QB Taysom Hill.

Winston has massive boom-or-bust potential since he was the No. 1 overall pick from the 2015 NFL Draft. Winston started all 16 regular-season games for the 2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he led the NFL in passing yards (5,109) and interceptions (30) but also had a career-high 33 TD passes.

Green Bay runs it back after a drama-filled offseason highlighted by QB Aaron Rodgers’ trade request. Otherwise, the Packers have a lot to be excited about entering 2021.

The Packers were the 1-seed in the NFC Playoffs in head coach Matt LaFleur’s second season, Rodgers won his third MVP, and WR Davante Adams led the NFL in receiving TDs (18) and receiving yards per game (98.1).

Packers at Saints odds, spread and line

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:45 p.m. ET.

Money line: Packers -205 (bet $205 to in $100) | Saints +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
Against the spread (ATS): Packers -4.5, -107 (bet $107 to win $100) | Saints +4.5, -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
Total (O/U): 50.5, Over -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Under -115 (bet $115 to win $100)

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2020 betting stats:

ML: Packers 13-3 | Saints 12-4
ATS: Packers 10-6 (1-1 in postseason) | Saints 9-7 (1-1)
O/U: Packers 9-7 (2-0) | Saints 10-6 (0-2)

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Packers at Saints head-to-head

The Packers lead the all-time series 17-9, and Green Bay upset New Orleans 37-30 in Week 3 last season as 3.5-point road underdogs. The Saints outgained the Packers 397-369 total yards but shot themselves in the foot by turning the ball over once and committing eight penalties for 83 yards.

Rodgers is 3-2 vs. the Saints as a starter with a 69.2% completion rate, 316.0 passing yards per game and 13 TD to 6 INT with a 104.5 QB Rating. Winston lost his only career starter against Green Bay (2017), 26-20; however, Rodgers was sidelined with an injury, and former head coach Mike McCarthy was running the Packers’ show.

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