Tag: Green Bay Packers

The Jordan Love Toyotathon merchant TikTok theory about his second-half stats, explained

Is Jordan Love really a Toyotathon merchant? Let’s dive in.

Welcome to FTW Explains: a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Have you heard about Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love and something about how he’s a “Toyotathon merchant?” And you’re very confused? We got you covered.

This was one of those playful things that felt like a coincidence of some sort with Jordan Love and Toyotathon.

But in 2024, it’s happening again. And so everyone’s buzzing about it, to the point where Love has gotten in on the conspiracy theory.

So let’s dive in and explain it all for you as the Packers QB continues to perform at a high level.

What’s this now about Jordan Love and Toyotathon?

This goes back to a TikTok that everyone loved. A fan pointed out that Love’s stats in years past were just OK before Toyotathon — the annual holiday sales event from Toyota — began.

But after Toyotathon began? He explodes.

@kicks

Jordan Love might be too dependent on Toyotathon 🫣 @Pablo Escoball #foryou #jordanlove #packers #greenbaypackers #nfl #toyota

♬ original sound – KICKS

Did his stats get better in 2024 after Toyotathon started?

Oh yes. Dude hasn’t thrown an interception since mid-November after throwing at least one pick in every game this year. The Packers have lost just twice since the start of November heading into Week 16’s Monday night matchup.

Has Jordan Love acknowledged this Toyotathon theory?

Actually, yes! Check out this Instagram post from Monday right before the holidays:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DD7HQ8LJTcL/?hl=en

Doesn’t this just mean that he’s more of a second-half performer who starts slow?

Shhhhh!

Listen, I’m not one to mess with this. If people want to think that it coincides with the Toyotathon every year, then that’s that.

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Packers don’t get any help on Sunday but can still clinch playoff spot on MNF

The path is easy now on Monday night: Win, and the Packers are in. Here’s a look at the playoff picture ahead of MNF.

The Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings all won on Sunday, providing little help for the Green Bay Packers, but Matt LaFleur’s team can still clinch a playoff spot with a win over the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football” from Lambeau Field.

The Falcons cruised past the New York Giants in Michael Penix Jr.’s first career start, the Rams outlasted Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets, the Commanders came back to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, the Lions had no problems dispatching the Chicago Bears and the Vikings got a late touchdown from Justin Jefferson to beat the Seattle Seahawks.

To clinch a playoff spot on Sunday, the Packers needed the Falcons to lose or tie and either the Rams or Seahawks to lose or tie.

Instead, the Falcons won, eliminating any clinching scenario on Sunday, and the Lions and Vikings both won — eliminating the Packers from NFC North title contention.

Also, the Commanders got their 10th win, putting pressure on the Packers to keep winning to avoid being the No. 7 seed.

With a win over the Saints on Monday night, the Packers will clinch at least the No. 7 seed. LaFleur’s team can still finish 13-4 and as high as the No. 5 seed, but there are only three options now: No. 7 seed, No. 6 seed or No. 5 seed. The Packers can’t finish higher.

After playing the Saints, Green Bay finishes with a road game against the Vikings and a home game against the Bears, who have lost nine straight games. The trip to Minneapolis will help determine who wins the NFC North and if the Packers can jump the Vikings to get to the No. 5 seed.

But first things first: the Packers need to take care of business at home against a 5-9 Saints team that is already eliminated from the playoff field and missing several key players.

NFC playoff picture entering MNF

1. Detroit Lions (13-2) — clinched playoff spot
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) — clinched playoff spot
3. Los Angeles Rams (9-5)
4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2) — clinched playoff spot
6. Green Bay Packers (10-4)
7. Washington Commanders (10-5)

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)

All other NFC teams have been eliminated.

Packers Wire staff predictions: Week 16 vs. Saints

Predictions from the Packers Wire staff on the Packers’ Week 16 showdown with the Saints.

The Green Bay Packers didn’t get any help on Sunday, but a win over the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football” from Lambeau Field will still clinch a playoff spot in the deep NFC field.

Can Matt LaFleur’s team take care of business at home against a 5-9 team that is eliminated from playoff contention and missing several key contributors?

Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 16 showdown with the Saints will go down:

Zach Kruse: Packers 24, Saints 10 (8-6)

The Saints can’t be overlooked, not after they won three of their first four games under Darren Rizzi and then gave the Commanders a big scare late last Sunday. But when you play someone matters so much, and the Saints are going to be severely shorthanded on Monday. Derek Carr is out. So is Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Taysom Hill, Rashid Shaheed and Paulson Adebo. The Packers defense could dominate against a patched-together offense led by rookie quarterback Spencer Ratter, who has been sacked 10 times on just 140 dropbacks and is 0-3 as a starter. Add in the potential for the Packers run game to go wild, and this game should never be in doubt. While it’s possible the streak of 30-point games continues, I’m not betting on it. The Packers still win by two touchdowns in a mostly stress-free victory at home.

 

Brandon Carwile: Packers 31, Saints 13 (11-3)

This is not only a game the Packers should win but one they should dominate. At 5-9, the playoffs are a pipe dream for a Saints team with basically nothing to play for and without three of their top offensive players: Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, and Derek Carr. Moving the ball will likely be a challenge for rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, especially without Kamara there to hand or dump the ball off to. New Orleans’ defense also doesn’t match up particularly well against Green Bay. They enter Week 16 with the 27th-ranked run defense about to face the fourth-ranked rushing offense. I could easily see Josh Jacobs leading the charge in a monstrous day for the Packers’ offense.

Brennen Rupp: Packers 27, Saints 10 (13-1)

The Saints are without their starting QB. They’ll get without their best offensive playmaker in Alvin Kamara. They have been without the services of Chris Olave for most of the season. They’ll be without the legend that is Taysom Hill. Last year around this time the Packers dismantled a short-handed Minnesota Vikings team in prime time. This feels like another game where Jordan Love and the offense will do whatever they want, whenever they want and the Saints won’t have the horses to keep up. Give me the Packers winning comfortably at home.

Writer Prediction Score Record
Zach Kruse Win 24-10 8-6
Brandon Carwile Win 31-13 11-3
Brennen Rupp Win 27-10 13-1

 

Is Derek Carr playing today? Injury updates for Saints quarterback

Saints quarterback Derek Carr is dealing with a non-throwing hand injury. Here are the latest updates regarding his Week 16 status.

The New Orleans Saints were without their starting quarterback Derek Carr in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders after an injury he suffered in Week 14 against the New York Giants. Carr went down late in that matchup with a non-throwing hand injury, which was later revealed to be multiple fractures in his left hand, alongside being placed in concussion protocol for a time.

Here are the current updates on Carr, his status for Week 16, as well as the remainder of the season:

Derek Carr injury update

The current status of Derek Carr is that he will be out for the Week 16 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers, as he continues to push the timeline to try and potentially return this season. As of now however, the timeline is unclear, as reports conflict about the potential for his return, which we will discuss in the next section. The current status of his hand is that it requires more recovery time before he can be sent out onto the field, so he will remain out against the Packers and evaluate where he stands before the next two matchups.

How long will Derek Carr be out?

The current timeline we know regarding Carr is hazy at best, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting that it is “very unlikely” for the Saints signal caller to return this season, and that he is at least a few weeks away from being able to withstand contact.

The other reports we have had come out believe he may return this season however, with Nick Underhill of Neworleans.football reporting that the “book is not yet definitively closed on Derek Carr’s season” and that if he is able to get his motion back, he would be able to possibly come back for some of the remaining season.

The word directly from interim head coach Darren Rizzi is a mix of the two, as he was quoted via WWL Radio saying, “We’re just gonna have to go along and when he (Carr) gets to the point where he can function well enough to play in the game, I know…he wants to play and when he can, he will.”

Saints quarterback depth chart

The current Saints quarterback room is pretty similar to how it has been in recent weeks, with the two younger players as well as the addition of one veteran for posterity sake just incase anything goes wrong. As things stand right now, the current quarterback room consists of:

  • Spencer Rattler
  • Jake Haener
  • Ben DiNucci

In Week 15, Haener got the start for the first half and did not particularly look spectacular in his playing time. So, during the break, the Saints came out and ran Spencer Rattler for the second half, and he was able to bring the Saints within a failed two-point conversion of taking down the Commanders. With that said, Rattler will get the start this week.

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Packers vs. Saints: 5 things to watch and a prediction for Week 16

Five things to watch and a prediction for the Packers’ Week 16 showdown with the Saints.

The Green Bay Packers will attempt to clinch a playoff spot when the short-handed New Orleans Saints come to Lambeau Field for a showdown on “Monday Night Football” in Week 16. With a win, the Packers are officially in the NFC playoff field.

Can the Packers improve to 11-4 while winning a fifth game in six tries since the bye?

Here are five things to watch and a prediction for Week 16:

Another Josh Jacobs game?

The Saints can be stingy defending the pass, but all the stats suggest the Packers could find a major advantage when they run the football on Monday night. Expect another heavy dose of Josh Jacobs, who has handled at least 20 touches in four of the last five games. This is a game where the Packers need to set the tone early and use the run game to take the sting out of a talented pass-rushing front.

Can Love extend streak to 6 games?

Packers quarterback Jordan Love has a passer rating of 100.0 or better in five straight games. Can he run the streak to six games against a defense allowing a passer rating of 83.0 overall this season? Love doesn’t have to set the world on fire on Monday night, but another efficient performance — especially off play-action and creating explosive plays down the field — would be a good sign as the postseason approaches. The Packers are proving tough to beat when Love doesn’t turn the ball over, and he hasn’t thrown an interception since Nov. 17.

Encore for Cooper?

The Packers won’t have Quay Walker, who is battling an ankle injury, so rookie Edgerrin Cooper — who won NFC Defensive Player of the Week last week — will once again be in the spotlight. Can the rookie build on his impressive return to the field against the Saints on Monday night? Sending Cooper on blitzes could be one way for Jeff Hafley to create havoc against a rookie quarterback. And you can bet the Saints are building the offensive plan around getting the ball out of Spencer Rattler’s hands quick. Cooper could have a chance to fly around the field sideline to sideline on Monday night.

Return of Jaire?

His status is still TBD, but Jaire Alexander (knee) practiced in full all week and could be set to return after missing most of the last six games (he played only 10 snaps in Chicago). Getting him back with three weeks to go could provide a nice ramp up period before the postseason. If Alexander can’t go, Monday night would provide another opportunity for Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes to build on an encouraging performance in Seattle. Expect the rotation between Valentine and Stokes to continue even if Alexander is back as one of the primary perimeter starters.

Test for the offensive tackles

The Saints have a pair of edge rushers with 50 or more pressures in Carl Granderson and Chase Young, providing a nice challenge for Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom — one of the best pass-blocking tackle duos in football. It’s hard to imagine the Saints winning this game without the defensive front dominating, and Darren Rizzi’s team might need a pressure-forced turnover or two to threaten the upset. If Walker and Tom play well on Monday, the Packers could cruise.

Prediction: Packers 24, Saints 10 (8-6)

The Saints can’t be overlooked, not after they won three of their first four games under Darren Rizzi and then gave the Commanders a big scare late last Sunday. But when you play someone matters so much, and the Saints are going to be severely shorthanded on Monday. Derek Carr is out. So is Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Taysom Hill, Rashid Shaheed and Paulson Adebo. The Packers defense could dominate against a patched-together offense led by rookie quarterback Spencer Ratter, who has been sacked 10 times on just 140 dropbacks and is 0-3 as a starter. Add in the potential for the Packers run game to go wild, and this game should never be in doubt. While it’s possible the streak of 30-point games continues, I’m not betting on it. The Packers still win by two touchdowns in a mostly stress-free victory at home.

Here’s how the Packers can clinch playoff spot before MNF

The Packers have two different ways of clinching a playoff berth with results on Sunday.

A win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday night will clinch a playoff spot for the Green Bay Packers, but it’s possible the spot will already be locked in before the Packers kick off against the Saints.

Two different combinations of results on Sunday will do the trick.

— If the Atlanta Falcons lose or tie to the New York Giants AND the Los Angeles Rams lose or tie to the New York Jets, the Packers will clinch.

— If the Falcons lose or tie to the Giants AND the Seattle Seahawks lose or tie to the Minnesota Vikings, the Packers will clinch.

Falcons-Giants and Rams-Jets both kick off at noon CT on Sunday, while Seahawks-Vikings is set for a 3:05 p.m. CT kickoff in Seattle.

Considering the Packers would prefer the Vikings to lose, both for NFC North positioning and playoff seeding, the preferrable scenario on Sunday is the Falcons losing to the Giants and the Rams losing to the Jets, so Matt LaFleur’s team could actually use some help from former Packer Aaron Rodgers. Also, the Falcons are switching quarterbacks, going from Kirk Cousins to rookie Michael Penix, so they are a bit of an unknown going into New York.

The other game to watch Sunday is the Detroit Lions going to Chicago to play the Bears. The Packers could use a win from the Bears to keep open a path to winning the NFC North (would need Vikings to lose as well).

Even if the Packers don’t get the right results, a win Monday night against the 5-9 Saints would do the trick in terms of clinching a playoff spot. New Orleans is 3-2 since firing Dennis Allen and turning to Darren Rizzi, but the Saints will be without their starting QB (Derek Carr), best offensive weapon (Alvin Kamara), best pass-catcher (Chris Olave), most unique weapon (Taysom Hill), best corner (Paulson Adebo) and best deep threat (Rashid Shaheed) on Monday night.

Breaking down Packers’ final injury report of Week 16 vs. Saints

Breaking down the final injury report of Week 16 before the Packers take on the New Orleans Saints.

The Green Bay Packers ruled out defensive back Javon Bullard and linebacker Quay Walker and listed cornerback Jaire Alexander, cornerback Corey Ballentine, tight end Luke Musgrave and safety Evan Williams as questionable on the final injury report before facing the New Orleans Saints in Week 16.

How will the injury situation affect Monday night’s showdown?

Here’s an in-depth breakdown of the Packers’ final injury report ahead of Week 15:

Out (2)

DB Javon Bullard (ankle): The rookie defensive back didn’t practice all week for the second straight week and will miss another game. Expect to see Keisean Nixon in the slot again on Monday night. Matt LaFleur called this a week to week injury, so maybe Bullard will be back in time to play the Vikings next Sunday.

LB Quay Walker (ankle): As expected, Walker is out after injuring his ankle last Sunday night in Seattle. The Packers will go into Monday night with Isaiah McDuffie, Edgerrin Cooper, Eric Wilson and Ty’Ron Hopper as the four linebacker options.

Questionable (4)

CB Jaire Alexander (knee): He practiced in full all three days this week, but the Packers aren’t committed to him playing on Monday night just yet. It won’t be surprising if he plays and if won’t be surprising if he misses a fifth straight game. Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes would be the expected starters outside if Alexander can’t go.

CB Corey Ballentine (knee): Ballentine played through this same injury last week. He was limited all this week but should be available against the Saints.

TE Luke Musgrave (ankle): The second-year tight end was limited all week but could return from missing the better part of three months with an ankle injury. He’d add a dynamic vertical threat if available, but expect a limited number of snaps behind Tucker Kraft.

S Evan Williams (quad): The Packers added Williams to the injury report on Saturday as a limited participant, which is always a bit of a worrisome sign. His potential absence combined with Bullard’s status would create problems in the defensive backfield.

No status designation

The Packers listed only six players on the final injury report, and all six have designations. Ten players were removed from the injury report entering Week 16.

Saints injury report

The Saints ruled out quarterback Derek Carr, running back Alvin Kamara, receiver Chris Olave and receiver Bub Means and listed receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling as questionable. Edge rusher Chase Young is off the injury report and will play. The Saints will be down their starting quarterback, best offensive weapon and best pass-catcher. Cornerback Paulson Adebo (the team’s best coverage corner), tight end Taysom Hill (the team’s most unique weapon) and receiver Rashid Shaheed (the team’s best deep threat) are on injured reserve.

Ohio State prospects for Packers fans to watch during College Football Playoff

Ohio State draft prospects for Packers fans to watch during the College Football Playoff.

The Ohio State Buckeyes had four players selected during the 2024 NFL Draft. They’ll match that number with just defensive backs during the 2025 NFL Draft. The Buckeyes are scheduled to take on Tennessee in the opening round of the College Football Playoff and there will be no shortage of prospects that could be fits for the Green Bay Packers.

Tyleik Williams, DT

Williams is a roadblock against the run. He controls his gap and is able to peel off blocks to get his hands on ball carriers. He’s a rangy big man and has a radar for the football. The Packers could be in the market for TJ Slaton’s replacement this offseason. Williams would help Green Bay continue to improve against the run and he has the tools to wreck the opposing team’s ground game. 

Cody Simon, LB

Simon has enjoyed a breakout season, recording 74 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks and five pass deflections. Simon is assignment-sound and is quick to find the football. He shows good range in coverage and has the lateral athleticism to hold up at the next level. Before this season, Simon logged 473 snaps on special teams during his first four seasons and recorded nine tackles.

Sonny Styles, LB

The former safety has recorded 76 tackles, seven tackles for loss and four sacks at his new position. Styles recently just turned 20 years old and is an excellent space athlete. He has sideline-to-sideline range and a team may be willing to bet on his tools on Day 3 of the draft. The former safety has logged 430 special teams snaps and recorded nine tackles during his time at Ohio State. 

Jack Sawyer, Edge

Sawyer’s motor is always running. He brings the same energy on every snap. He’s a physical run defender and is powerful at the point of attack. Over the past two seasons, Sawyer has recorded 49 run stops. He rushes the passer with power and has recorded 11 sacks and 80 pressures over the past two seasons. 

JT Tuimoloau, Edge

Standing at 6-4 and weighing 270 pounds, Tuimoloau looks like he was sent from central casting. Like Sawyer, Tuimoloau rushes the quarterback with power and has heavy hands. He’s ready to step in on day one and help a team shore up their run defense.

Emeka Egbuka, WR

Another NFL-made wide receiver. Egbuka is a detailed route runner and sharp footwork. He’s adept at finding the open spots in zone coverage and has sticky hands. 

The Packers haven’t drafted a wide receiver in the first round since 2002. With Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks all under contract, Gutekunst is likely not even thinking about wide receiver in the first round. If the Buckeye wide receiver is available in the second round, he may consider adding the ready-made wide receiver to the mix. 

Denzel Burke, CB

Burke is a pesky run defender and is not shy about sticking his nose up in support. After whiffing on 16 tackles the past two seasons, Burke has cleaned up his technique and has been tagged with just three missed tackles this season. He has the reaction quickness to recover if he gives up initial separation and does a good job of timing up his punch. 

Davison Igbinosun, CB

Igbinosun has the ideal frame that teams are looking for at cornerback. The Ole Miss transfer has the length and athleticism to lockdown wide receivers on the boundary. He just needs to sand out the rough edges of his game. Igbinosun enters Saturday night’s matchup with two interceptions and seven pass deflections.

 Jordan Hancock, CB

Hancock has played almost exclusively in the slot for the Buckeyes over the past two seasons. He shows good route awareness and puts himself in a position to make plays. With his frame (6-0, 195 pounds), route awareness and change of direction ability, Hancock could play on the boundary at the next level.

Ty Hamilton, DT

Road closed ahead. Hamilton, like Williams, is a stout run defender. He roots in against double teams and controls his gap. According to Pro Football Focus, Hamilton has recorded 27 run stops this season. 

Donovan Jackson, G

Jackson is a downhill run blocker, who stays balanced on his feet. He has quick feet in pass protection to shuffle against rushers. Up until this season, Jackson has played exclusively at left guard. He has shown off his versatility by kicking out to left tackle for the past five games. 

Texas draft prospects for Packers fans to watch during College Football Playoff

Draft prospects from Texas for Packers fans to watch during the College Football Playoff.

The Texas Longhorns had 11 players drafted during the 2024 NFL Draft. They could match or even exceed that number during the 2025 draft. Let’s look at eight players who could be targets for the Green Bay Packers.

Alred Collins, DT

A former five-star recruit, Collins looks every bit the part of a future wrecking ball. Collins plays with some raw power and walks blockers back into the quarterback’s lap. He has the range to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage and his motor is always running. 

Barryn Sorrell, Edge

Sorrell checks the boxes with his frame and athleticism. As a run defender, he snatches and tosses and sets a hard edge. According to Pro Football Focus, Sorrell has recorded 21 run stops this season. The Texas edge rusher enters the matchup against Clemson with nine tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and 39 pressures. 

Jahdae Barron, DB

A year ago Barron was one of the best slot defenders in the country. This season he’s shown that he can survive on the boundary. Barron led the SEC in interceptions (5) and recorded nine pass deflections. He has the drive explosion to arrive before the pigskin and has wide receiver-like ball skills. He’s a physical downfield defender and stays balanced as a tackler. 

Jake Majors, C

Majors enters the matchup against Clemson with 54 career starts at center for the Longhorns. Majors has heightened awareness and understands protections. Over the past two seasons, Majors has given up zero sacks and 20 pressures.  

Trey Moore, Edge

At 245 pounds, Moore could be too light for Green Bay’s liking. Moore can easily add five pounds without losing his explosive first step. The UTSA transfer has recorded 3.5 sacks and 26 pressures. 

Vernon Broughton, DT

At 6-5, 306 pounds, Broughton has an ideal NFL frame. The Texas defensive tackle has good initial quickness off the snap to get upfield quickly and disrupt the action in the backfield. He maintains his gap and shows the lateral quickness to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage.

Matthew Golden, WR

With his instant acceleration off the line of scrimmage and finds a second gear to win vertically. He runs sharp routes and does a good job of mixing up his tempo to keep defensive backs off balance. Golden also brings special teams value as a kick and punt returner. 

Isaiah Bond, WR

The Alabama transfer is a dynamic playmaker. The former track athlete is a vertical threat and can take swing passes the distance with his game-breaking quickness. Bond is similar to Jayden Reed and having those two on the same offense would put a lot of stress on opposing defenses. 

5 keys to Packers beating Saints in Week 16

Five keys to the Packers beating the Saints at Lambeau Field in Week 16.

The Green Bay Packers will attempt to get win No. 11 when they host the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field for a “Monday Night Football” showdown in Week 16. While the Packers will have a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a few results before Monday night, a win over the Saints would also do the trick.

The Packers are big betting favorites against the 5-9 Saints, who are all but eliminated from playoff contention and expected to be without several key contributors. While the Saints started 2-7, interim coach Darren Rizzi is 3-2 over the last five games, and rookie Spencer Rattler was a two-point conversion away from upsetting the Washington Commanders last week.

Here are five keys to the Packers beating the Saints in Week 16:

Feed the psychos

A cold night game at Lambeau Field against a defense that has struggled to get ball-carriers on the ground, especially after the catch? You know what time it is. Feed the psycho trio — Josh Jacobs, Jayden Reed and Tucker Kraft. The Packers used this formula to steamroll the visiting 49ers and Dolphins during a five-day stretch to end November. The same can be done against the Saints, who are bleeding yards after the catch while also giving up 4.9 yards per carry in the run game. This is a game to get the ball to playmakers and let them do the tackle-breaking work they love.

Attack the rookie QB

Spencer Rattler, who is expected to start for the Saints, has been sacked 10 times on 140 dropbacks. Like most young players at the position, processing speed and pocket awareness have been hurdles for Rattler to getting the ball out on time. The Packers defense must take away the quick first reads and force the rookie to hold the ball. Last week, the defensive front did a terrific job of winning one-on-one matchups and disrupting the pocket. Watch the edges — both of the Saints offensive tackles have allowed 30 or more pressures this season. Another sack-fest could ensue if Rattler get rattled early. Don’t be surprised if the Saints’ plan is built around screens and underneath stuff to protect the rookie.

Win the LOS on offense

The Saints aren’t lacking talent up front on defense. Both Carl Granderson and Chase Young have more than 50 pressures, and 2023 first-round pick Bryan Bresee and veteran Cam Jordan can disrupt from various alignments. It’s tough to imagine the Saints winning this game without a dominant effort from the front — both in terms of stopping the run on early downs and pressuring Jordan Love in passing situations. The Packers must lean on the run game — the Saints are giving up almost 5.0 yards per carry and rank near the bottom in most meaningful run defense metrics. Expect Matt LaFleur to give Josh Jacobs another chance to feast, especially if the weather isn’t ideal for throwing the football.

Score touchdowns in the red zone

The Saints rank eighth in the NFL in touchdown percentage allowed in the red zone this season, creating a big reason why New Orleans ranks 30th in yards allowed but only 13th in points allowed. The Packers can’t march up and down the field and then settle for field goals. Matt LaFleur’s offense has done a better job converting opportunities in the red zone, mostly thanks to Josh Jacobs’ ability to find the end zone from inside the 5-yard line. The Packers need to score touchdowns early and not keep the Saints in the game.

Win the ball

Turnovers are so often an equalizer in games like this one. Jordan Love has just one turnover in the last five games and four straight games without an interception, and he needs to continue the streak against the Saints on Monday night. Can the Saints win this game without getting a takeaway or two? The New Orleans offense is going to be starting a rookie quarterback and will be without most of its top weapons. They will need short fields and momentum-changing plays. The Packers can’t provide them. Protect the ball, win the ball, and the Packers are going to win this football game.