Packers vs. Saints preview: Get to know Green Bay’s Week 16 opponent

Previewing the New Orleans Saints before the Packers host the Saints on Monday night at Lambeau Field in Week 16.

The Green Bay Packers will have an opportunity to clinch a spot in the NFC playoffs when they host the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football” at Lambeau Field in Week 16.

The Saints started 2-0 but have lost nine of the last 12 games to limp to a 5-9 record. Dennis Allen was fired after a 2-7 start, and Darren Rizzi has led the Saints to a 3-2 record over the last five.

Injuries have decimated the Saints, especially on offense. Derek Carr isn’t expected to play, and several other important players are out or injured.

Here’s a closer look at the Saints entering Week 16:

Last week (Loss, 20-19 to Commanders)

The Saints fell behind 14-0 in the first half, 17-0 early in the second half and 20-7 early in the fourth quarter, but New Orleans rallied late — scoring three straight times to set up a game-deciding two-point conversion attempt. It failed, and the Saints’ comeback attempt ended one point short. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler hit Foster Moreau for a touchdown with no time remaining before the failed two-point try. Moreau caught four passes, Alvin Kamara caught a touchdown pass and former Packer Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught a 39-yard pass and a 25-yard pass. The Saints defense delivered eight sacks of rookie Jayden Daniels, including two each from Cameron Jordan and Chase Young. New Orleans is battling injury offensively, but the defense is still an effective group.

Quarterback play

The guess here is that rookie Spencer Rattler will get the start at quarterback. Derek Carr is battling a left hand injury and isn’t expected to play, and backup Jake Haener was pulled in favor of Rattler against the Commanders. A fifth-round pick, Rattler completed 10 of 21 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown last week. Over four appearances, Rattler has completed 57.5 percent of passes, thrown two touchdown passes and two interceptions and averaged 5.9 yards per attempt — good for a passer rating of 73.1. The Saints lost all three of Rattler’s starts previously this season. He’s small (6-0, 211) but an effective scrambler. He’s also been sacked 14 times in limited action, while producing eight turnover-worthy plays.

Line of scrimmage

The Saints have struggled up front on offense. At Pro Football Focus, the Saints rank 30th in pass-block grade but also 11th in run-block grade. New Orleans is averaging 4.4 yards per rushing attempt. The offensive line is big and full of top picks — including first-rounders Trevor Penning and Taliese Fuaga at the tackles and Cesar Ruiz at right guard. Former Packer Lucas Patrick handles left guard. Penning and Fuaga have both allowed more than 30 pressures while combining for 20 penalties this season. Erik McCoy is an elite run blocker at center. Defensively, the Saints rank 30th in yards per carry allowed at 4.9 and 31st in run defense grade at PFF. The pass rush is a potential strength. Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Bryan Bresee and Cameron Jordan all have over 25 pressures. Running the football will be important to set the tone up front for the Packers.

Turnovers

The Saints are plus-1 in the turnover department this season — 15 giveaways against 16 takeaways. New Orleans is just 1-3 when turning the ball over two or more times but also 1-3 when not turning the ball over at all. Four of the Saints’ five wins have come when getting at least one turnover. Spencer Rattler has thrown two picks but is certainly turnover-prone as a young, inexperienced quarterback. Veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu has three interceptions and two forced fumbles, so he’s still doing Honey Badger things. The Saints have nine players who have forced a fumble.

Injury situation

Starting quarterback Derek Carr (hand) isn’t expected to play. Receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are both on injured reserve. So is do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill and cornerback Paulson Adebo. The injury to watch this week is running back Alvin Kamara’s groin injury. He could be a long shot to play Monday night. Also, cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling exited the Saints’ loss to the Commanders with injuries.

Players to know

Edge rusher Carl Granderson: He quietly has back-to-back seasons with 50 or more pressures. Granderson had five pressures and a sack last week.

LB Demario Davis: The veteran linebacker is still capable of excellent performances, especially against the run. He produced another 100-tackle season in 2024.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling: The former Packer has a catch of at least 20 yards in five straight games, including catches of 67 yards and 71 yards. He’s averaging 25.1 yards per catch with the Saints. But he’s also dropped three passes on 23 targets.

TE Foster Moreau: He’s averaging 9.7 yards per target with four touchdown catches this season. The veteran tight end has become a bigger part of the offense since Taysom Hill went down.

CB Alontae Taylor: No cornerback in football has missed more tackles (18) or allowed more catches (68) this season, but he’s also defensed 13 passes, a team high.

Saints could face adverse weather conditions in their Week 16 matchup

The Saints could be facing some adverse weather conditions in Week 16, as they travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers

The New Orleans Saints do not face much cold weather, being from Louisiana and playing indoors pretty much rules that out for home games and their division is typically in warm locations as well (with the exception of occasional late-season games with the Carolina Panthers).

However, In Week 16 they could be facing cold weather in their matchup, as they travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. As of right now, the weather predictions from multiple weather outlets place this game well below freezing, with the following being predicted by the respective sources:

  • The Weather Channel: Monday will be a high of 33 degrees, low of 28 degrees with a 24% chance of snow or sleet throughout the day. High chance of snow Thursday as well before freezing temps Friday through Sunday.
  • Google Weather: Monday will be a high of 29 degrees, low of 25 degrees with a 35% chance of precipitation, likely snow.
  • AccuWeather: Monday will be a high of 28 degrees, low of 24 degrees with a 65% chance of precipitation, likely snow.
  • National Weather Service: No direct weather for Monday as of yet, but 6-10 day outlook expects temperature to be near or slightly below average for this time of year.

Ultimately, there is an extremely high chance of this being what is constituted as a “cold-weather game”, meaning it is below 32 degrees at kickoff. According to Stathead Football, the Saints have played 15 such games in their existence, and have a 6-9 record overall in those matchups. However, they are 2-0 in their most recent of these matchups, which were in 2022 against the Cleveland Browns (6 degrees at kickoff, 17-10 victory) and 2010 against the Cincinnati Bengals (32 degrees at kickoff, 34-30 victory).

Of these 15 matchups, two have been at Lambeau Field, the first in 1971 (30 degrees at kickoff, 29-21 victory), and the second was 1976 (31.8 degrees at kickoff, 27-32 loss). This will be the first time however (pending the temperature) that the Saints have ever played a “cold-weather game” on Monday Night Football. Ultimately we will see if they can handle the temperature regardless, and the potential snow, as they get what could be their final primetime game of the 2024 season.

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Saints downgrade injured starter, won’t play vs. Commanders in Week 15

The New Orleans Saints downgraded injured quarterback Derek Carr, confirming he won’t play against the Washington Commanders in Week 15:

The New Orleans Saints downgraded injured quarterback Derek Carr on Saturday afternoon, confirming he won’t play against the Washington Commanders in Week 15. This was the expectation, but given Carr’s initial game status (doubtful), it’s now official.

Carr fractured a bone in his non-throwing hand last week and suffered a concussion on the same play, having tried to leap ahead to convert a first down. He came up short and hurt himself in the attempt. It’ll be his backup Jake Haener filling in on Sunday.

How long Carr will be out remains to be seen. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi has said he’ll be evaluated on a week-to-week basis, but if this injury lingers we may not see Carr again through the final four games. In the meantime, Haener has a big opportunity in front of him, and the second-year pro should try to make the most of it.

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There is a statistical basis behind starting Jake Haener in Week 15

There may be a statistical precedent showing why the Saints chose Jake Haener to start Week 15 over Spencer Rattler:

The New Orleans Saints decided to go with Jake Haener to start in their Week 15 game over Spencer Rattler, who started three games the last time Derek Carr went down. This choice was one that many had not anticipated, as Rattler had the experience with this offense this season, and would have been presumed as the incumbent.

However, Haener had been listed as the No.2 quarterback for the whole season, while Rattler was listed as the emergency No. 3, so logistically this was the option on paper that was going to happen. Beyond that, there may be a statistical precedent for starting Haener in this game over Rattler.

As WWL Radio’s Jeff Nowak noted, in the three weeks Spencer Rattler started, the opposing teams accrued a whopping 16 sacks, over five a game on average. However, in the weeks Derek Carr has started, they have allowed only 8 sacks, half the total in over three times the games. This was one of the biggest issues for the Saints under Rattler, is he had immense trouble sensing pressure and getting away from it on time, and with the injuries to the Saints offensive line previously, that made things even more difficult.

Jake Haener may give you the alternative in that he will get the ball out quicker and get away from pressure, but obviously we do not know that as his playing time is limited to only 61 total snaps, and in those he has taken 3 sacks. Regardless, the Saints having another option at quarterback allows them to try this out and just see if it works, and test out Haener to see what he has in the tank.

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Video preview and expert picks for Broncos vs. Colts game

Experts are backing the Broncos to beat the Colts on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos (8-5) are set to host the Indianapolis Colts (6-7) in Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season on Sunday afternoon. Check out NFL.com’s preview and expert game picks in the video below.

After hosting the Colts on Sunday, the Broncos will go on the road to face the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 16.

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Degree of difficulty for Saints pass rushers climbs high in Week 15

Chase Young is coming off a career game against the Giants, and this week he faces one of the best pass-blocking tackles in the league:

Chase Young leads the New Orleans Saints in pressures and is one of the league leaders in pressures. Against the New York Giants, Young had the most pressures in a single game in his career.

It’s unlikely Young will get 10 pressures again this season, so that shouldn’t be looked at as the bar. However, Young will have a much more difficult time getting to Jayden Daniels compared to Drew Lock.

Daniels is more dynamic with his legs, but the road block for Young starts at the front line. Washington Commanders left tackle, Brandon Coleman, is one of the best pass-blocking offensive linemen in the NFL.

Week 15 will feature two players who are one of the best at what they do, and one of them has to break. Young is fourth in the NFL with a 17% pressure rate. That puts him up there with all-stars like Myles Garrett. Coleman has a pressure rate allowed of less than 8%, which is 10th-best in the league. Young must be on top of his game if he’s going to make as big an impact as we saw last week.

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Saints vs. Commanders is a double revenge game

Saints vs. Commanders is a double revenge game for Marshon Lattimore and Chase Young. Either player can get a win against the team that drafted him:

All eyes are on Marshon Lattimore ahead of the New Orleans Saints versus Washington Commanders showdown. The game has been unofficially dubbed the “Marshon Lattimore Revenge Game.” Lattimore isn’t the only player in this game facing his former team. Chase Young gets a crack at his first team as well.

Lattimore understandably gets the majority of the attention. The cornerback was traded this year, is making his Commanders debut, and didn’t make a pitstop elsewhere. None these factors apply to Young

Let’s not forget the tension that seemed to stand between Lattimore and the team. Was that all Dennis Allen? We’ll never know, but Lattimore likely doesn’t need extra motivation.

Young will be facing the Commanders for a second time, likely another reason the story is less prevalent. Young is, however, looking for his first sack against Washington.

As a member of the 49ers, Young recorded only one tackle. He’ll be looking to improve on that performance this attempt.

When the Saints and Commanders last faced off, Young and Lattimore still had their original jerseys on. Young had possibly the best game of his season before suffering a season-ending injury later that year. Lattimore had six pass deflections, that is still his career high.

Both men are looking for a repeat performance with different jerseys.

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Wisconsin football full 2025 schedule

A look at what Wisconsin faces in 2025. It’s a gauntlet:

This story was updated to add new information.

Wisconsin’s full schedule for the 2025 football season is out. The word ‘gauntlet’ is an apt description of what the Badgers face.

Luke Fickell’s team opens the season with two home nonconference matchups (Miami (OH), Middle Tennessee) before a road trip to face what should be a top-ranked Alabama team.

Related: Takeaways from Wisconsin’s newly-released 2025 football schedule

The Badgers then return home to begin Big Ten play. Unlike a Big Ten West-era schedule that may have one or two premier games, the slate is a test from start to finish.

Luke Fickell’s team opens conference play at home against Maryland, before beginning a headline-grabbing month of October: at Michigan, vs. Iowa, vs. Ohio State, at Oregon. The Badgers then close vs. Washington, at Indiana, vs. Illinois and at rival Minnesota.

We’ve outlined big takeaways from the schedule, including a general recalibration of expectations. For more on each matchup and Wisconsin’s recent history against that program, here is an extended look at what the Badgers face in 2025:

Week 1: Miami (OH) (home)

Date: Aug. 30

Miami (OH) 2024 Record: 8-5, 7-1 MAC, Arizona Bowl vs. Colorado State

Series History: Wisconsin is 1-0 all-time, a 58-0 win in 2015.

Wisconsin begins with appears to be a lighter home matchup against Miami (OH) — though the RedHawks have become one of the better programs in the MAC. These games will be critical as Jeff Grimes installs his offense and the team works to build an identity.

Week 2: Middle Tennessee (home)

Date: Sept. 6

Middle Tennessee 2024 Record: 3-9, 2-6 CUSA

Series History: Zero prior matchups

Middle Tennessee is by far the easiest matchup on the schedule. The Blue Raiders went 3-9 in 2024 under first-year head coach Derek Mason. Before the upcoming gauntlet, these first two games are necessary wins.

Week 3: Alabama (away)

Date: Sept. 13

Alabama 2024 Record: 9-3, 5-3 SEC, ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Michigan

Series History: Alabama is 2-1 all-time, including a 42-10 win in 2024.

Wisconsin’s tough stretch begins in Week 3 with a trip to Alabama to complete the home-and-home series. The Crimson Tide beat the Badgers 42-10 at Camp Randall this season. A road matchup against what will likely be a top-ranked team doesn’t project to be any easier.

Week 4: Maryland (home)

Date: Sept. 20

Maryland Record: 4-8, 1-8 Big Ten

Series History: Wisconsin is 4-0 all time, including a 23-10 win in 2022.

On paper, Maryland looks like Wisconsin’s easiest conference game. The Terrapins struggled in 2024 after a string of 8-5 seasons from 2022-23. Mike Locksley’s program needs a rebound. For Wisconsin’s season-long outlook, this needs to be a win.

Week 5: Bye Week

Wisconsin gets a bye week on each end of its October gauntlet. This week will serve as an important re-set before the biggest stretch of the season.

Week 6: Michigan (away)

Date: Oct. 4

Michigan 2024 Record: 7-5, 5-4 Big Ten, ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Alabama

Series History: Michigan is 52-17-1 all-time, though Wisconsin has won two of the last three (2019, 2020). Last meeting was a 38-17 Michigan win in 2021.

The month of October projects to be quite the challenge for the Badgers. It begins with a road trip to Michigan — a team that projects to be improving entering 2025. The Badgers had great success against the Wolverines from 2017-20. That halted in 2021, the last time these two teams played.

Week 7: Iowa (home)

Date: Oct. 11

Iowa 2024 Record: 8-4, 6-3 Big Ten, Music City Bowl vs. Missouri

Series History: Wisconsin leads the all-time series 49-47-2. Iowa is winners of the last three meetings, and four of the last five.

Wisconsin is 0-2 against the Hawkeyes in the Luke Fickell era, including a 42-10 loss in 2024. This rivalry matchup could go on to define the team’s 2025 season, as it won’t be expected to win matchups against Ohio State or Oregon.

Week 8: Ohio State (home)

Date: Oct. 18

Ohio State 2024 Record: 10-2, 7-2 Big Ten, CFP first round vs. Tennessee

Series History: Ohio State leads 63-18-5, bolstered by a 10-game win streak dating back to 2010. That streak includes wins in the 2014, 2017 and 2019 Big Ten title games.

Wisconsin played Ohio State close at home in 2023, falling 24-10. The Badgers need to do the same in 2025. It is just another of a large collection of high-profile home games in the Luke Fickell era. 2025 needs to be the year one or those matchups is won.

Week 9: Oregon (away)

Date: Oct. 25

Oregon 2024 Record: 12-0, 9-0 Big Ten, CFP quarterfinal (first-round bye)

Series History: Oregon leads 4-3 all-time, including a 16-13 win in 2024. The series is highlighted by two Rose Bowl matchups (2012, 2020). Oregon won both.

This projects as the toughest game on Wisconsin’s 2025 schedule. The Ducks are the current class of the sport. A road trip to Eugene, Oregon makes that matchup even more daunting. The Badgers fared well against the Ducks in 2024, falling 16-13. They will need a repeat performance.

Week 10: Bye Week

Wisconsin gets a bye after that October gauntlet. It will likely need a re-set before a critical closing stretch of the season. Just like this past season, bowl eligibility will likely be at stake over the final month.

Week 11: Washington (home)

Date: Nov. 8

Washington 2024 Record: 6-6, 4-5 Big Ten, Sun Bowl vs. Louisville

Series History: Washington is 4-0 all-time. The last meeting was in 1992 (27-10 Washington win).

Wisconsin meets Washington in 2025 for the first time since the Huskies joined the Big Ten. This is an interesting matchup — Washington went 6-6 in 2024 after a national title trip in 2023. The Huskies should only improve under Jedd Fisch. But this game doesn’t reach the challenge of the Ohio State, Oregon or Michigan matchups.

Week 12: Indiana (away)

Date: Nov. 15

Indiana 2024 Record: 11-1, 8-1 Big Ten, CFP first round vs. Notre Dame

Series History: Wisconsin leads 41-20-2. Indiana has won two straight — 14-6 in 2020 and 20-14 in 2023.

This game is a significant wild card on Wisconsin’s 2025 schedule. Historically, Indiana is among the bottom teams in the Big Ten. But the Hoosiers went 11-1 and made the College Football Playoff in the first year under Curt Cignetti. This game could look entirely different come next November.

Week 13: Illinois (home)

Date: Nov. 22

Illinois 2024 Record: 9-3, 6-3 Big Ten, Citrus Bowl vs. South Carolina

Series History: Wisconsin leads 45-39-7, including a last-second win in 2023.

The final two games could be must-wins for the Badgers as they look to return to bowl eligibility. Illinois is another former Big Ten West program looking to establish a place in the new conference landscape. It had a program-best season in 2024, momentarily elevating it above Wisconsin and others.

Week 14: Minnesota (away)

Date: Nov. 29

Minnesota 2024 Record: 7-5, 5-4 Big Ten, Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. Virginia Tech

Series History: Series is tied 63-63-8 all-time. Minnesota has won three of the last four, including a 24-7 win in 2024.

This the importance of this matchup should go without saying. Wisconsin’s season-ending loss to Minnesota was costly — it closed a 5-7 campaign and saw the Badgers miss a bowl game for the first time since 2001. This game needs to be a win in 2025.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Packers vs. Seahawks preview: Get to know Green Bay’s Week 15 opponent

Previewing the Seattle Seahawks before the Packers go to Seattle for a Sunday night showdown in Week 15.

The Green Bay Packers (9-4) are headed to Seattle to take on the NFC West-leading Seahawks (8-5) at Lumen Field on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 15. With a win and some help, Matt LaFleur’s team can clinch a playoff spot this week. Even without the help, a win will push the Packers to the precipice of the postseason.

The Packers haven’t won in Seattle since 2008, and coach Matt LaFleur said playing there is a “chore.” Overall, however, the Packers have won five of the last six meetings with the Seahawks.

Can the Packers, who had their win streak snapped last week, return the favor to the Seahawks, who have won four straight games coming out of the bye?

Here’s a closer look at the Seahawks entering Week 15:

Last week (Win, 30-18 over Cardinals)

The Cardinals scored on their opening possession, but the Seahawks responded with 17 straight points and then took complete control of the game with a 51-yard touchdown run from Zach Charbonnet early in the second half. Charbonnet finished with 134 rushing yards, 59 receiving yards and two touchdowns, Geno Smith completed 24 of 30 passes without a turnover and the Seahawks defense produced two interceptions and two sacks against Kyler Murray. Seattle had nine penalties but converted 7-of-15 third downs. Slot receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. Ernest Jones and Coby Bryant had interceptions. The Seahawks swept the Cardinals in 2024, outscoring Arizona by 22 points.

Quarterback play

Veteran Geno Smith ranks second in the NFL in completions, attempts and passing yards and fifth in completion percentage. The Seahawks have thrown the ball a ton this season, and Smith has been accurate as usual. However, he also ranks 30th in touchdown percentage and 17th in yards per attempt, and he’s thrown the third-most interceptions (12). The two-time Pro Bowler has a big arm, the mobility to extend plays and a playmaking style that isn’t vastly different from Jordan Love. Smith has three games with a passer rating over 100.0 and only two under 80.0, so there’s a general consistency to his game. He has been sacked 40 times behind a shaky offensive line.

Line of scrimmage

The Seahawks rank 23rd in pass-blocking grade and 27th in run-blocking grade, highlighting the offense’s big weakness. Geno Smith has been sacked 40 times and Seahawks rushers are averaging only 4.1 yards per attempt, so stopping Seattle has to start up front. Left tackle Charles Cross is the best player along the offensive line, but the other four spots all could be considered question marks. The Seahawks defense ranks 21st in both run defense grade and pass-rushing grade, but the defensive front features Leonard Williams, Boye Mafe, Jarran Reed, Dre’Mont Jones and Derick Hall, all capable pass-rushers. The key will be running the football — the Seahawks are giving up 4.7 yards per attempt this season.

Turnovers

The Seahawks have turned the ball over 19 times, mostly due to Geno Smith’s 12 interceptions. Smith has also fumbled seven times without losing one. He must be considered loose with the football, potentially providing takeaway chances for the Packers opportunistic defense. Overall, Seattle is minus-four in turnover differential. The Seahawks defense has seven different players with an interception, including two pick-sixes, plus two fumbles returned for touchdowns. The Seahawks haven’t been turnover magnets but the takeaways have come in big spots and often produced game-changing moments.

Injury situation

The big injury to watch this week is for running back Kenneth Walker, who missed last week’s win with an ankle injury and has a questionable status going into Sunday night. Punter Michael Dickson had a back injury going into last week but played through it. Backup cornerback Tre Brown didn’t play with a hamstring injury. Tight end Noah Fant and defensive back K’Von Wallace are among those on injured reserve. The Seahawks are relatively healthy for Week 15 of a season.

Players to know

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba: The 2023 first-round pick has 75 catches and is well on his way to his first career 1,000-yard season. He can play outside or in the slot and is effective both in the intermediate and deep parts of the field, making him a difficult weapon to cover.

DL Leonard Williams: A game-wrecker. He has 7.0 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 20 quarterback hits, all team highs. The big defensive tackle also returned a pick of Aaron Rodgers 92 yards for a touchdown.

S Julian Love: The other J Love. He has two interceptions, two forced fumbles and eight total passes defensed this season for the Seahawks.

CB Devon Witherspoon: He leads the team with 28 “stops,” or tackles creating an offensive failure. Rarely do corners lead a team in stops. Witherspoon is an excellent run defender.

DL Jarran Reed: The former Packer has 34 pressures, including eight quarterback hits. Reed and Williams are a handful inside on passing downs.

RB Zach Charbonnet: He’s the backup running back, but Charbonnet has been effective in his second season, averaging more yards per carry and more yards per touch than Kenneth Walker.

Wisconsin basketball’s big game against Illinois will only be available on one streaming platform

Wisconsin basketball’s game against Illinois will only be available on one streaming platform

The 11th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers (8-2, 0-1 Big Ten) are on the road on Tuesday night for a critical early season game against No. 19 Illinois (6-2, 0-1 Big Ten).

As was the case for the Badgers’ recent contest against Michigan, the game will only be available via streaming on Peacock. That is the reality for many conference contests in this era of the Big Ten.

Related: Updated Big Ten basketball power rankings (Dec. 9): Wisconsin slides, Michigan surges

As a reminder, the streaming-exclusive games are part of the Big Ten’s new television deal with Fox, CBS and NBC. Peacock, an NBC property, has carried football and basketball games since the deal began last year.

Wisconsin is 1-1 in Peacock-exclusive games so far this season: the loss to Michigan and a big win over then-No. 9 Arizona

Both teams enter the important matchup after disappointing weeks. Wisconsin dropped tough contests against Michigan and at No. 5 Marquette, while Illinois fell to Northwestern in overtime.

The two projected to be among the Big Ten’s best through Feast Week and the season’s first month. A win on Tuesday is paramount for both as they look to return to that standing.

The Badgers and Illinois will tip off at 9 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. CT at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. Again, a Peacock subscription is required to watch the contest.

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