The Green Bay Packers will be playing their third nighttime prime-time game of the season this Sunday night when they face the New Orleans Saints. So far in those games under the lights, the Packers are 1-1 on the season and it’s time to break the tie in dramatic fashion.
Green Bay hasn’t beaten the Saints on the road since 1995 but the Superdome has been good to the Pack. They won Super Bowl XXXI there after the 1996 season so there will always be at least a hint of good vibes floating around.
But this isn’t 1996 and from season to season, history doesn’t mean much unless you’re in the media or. . a writer. Looking back on Green Bay’s last visit to New Orleans in 2008, that’s a good thing. The Saints handed the Packers one of their worst loses under head coach Mike McCarthy during Aaron Rodgers’ first season as a starter.
A lot has changed since 2008. Heck, a lot has changed since 2013. The Green Bay defense is much improved in passing defense and tackling. Run defense remains a problem, but with the way the offense has been putting up points, opposing teams aren’t running a whole lot these days.
Speaking of pass defense, the Packers will likely be without safety Morgan Burnett and cornerback Sam Shields. Before this season, that may have been a big problem for this defense but the emergence of Davon House and re-emergence of Casey Hayward along with the maturation of Micah Hyde minimize it greatly. If the Packers get off to another fast start, they’ll put the pressure on New Orleans to score on every possession.
Why every possession? Because the Saints defense can’t seem to stop anything lately and the Packers offense can’t seem to be stopped. Green Bay had 21 points on the board last week against the Carolina Panthers before Carolina gained a single first down. There will be points.
The Saints have won 19 straight games at home under head coach Sean Payton so I expect a lot of those points I just mentioned. We would all love for the Packers to put on a dominant defensive display and not only beat the Saints and end the streak, but humble the mighty Saints offense in the dome. Don’t hold your breath.
This game has the makings of one that could set some new Sunday Night Football records if these two offenses are clicking. And there’s good reason to think they will.
The Packers are doing whatever they want offensively and Rodgers has found a rhythm with not one, not two, but three of his receivers, they being Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. Give a quarterback like Rodgers three good targets and some time to throw the ball and viola! You’re cooking with oil.
The Saints’ offense plays lights out at home and despite his having zero catches in his return last week against the Detroit Lions, Saints tight end Jimmy Graham presents problems for the Packers defense. Most tight ends are already a mismatch for the Packers. Carolina’s Greg Olsen had over 105 yards receiving last week and was open most of the day. Without Burnett, the Packers will have their work cut out for them in trying to minimize Graham. Their best bet is to hope he’s not quite 100% yet.
Despite the Saints 2-4 start, a Packers win in this situation is still a big win. The Superdome is a tough place to play and that crowd will be jazzed to the max for a game like this. New Orleans is desperate, despite what anyone might say to the contrary. They need this one more and if they come out and play like it, it could end up another sad tale from the Bayou for the Packers.
Most of us predicted a Packers victory and so are many other analysts and media. The hallmark of a great team is being able to stay within themselves and impose their style and tempo in a tough road atmosphere. The Packers can take a big step towards stacking success (you’re welcome, coach Mike) and head into their bye week riding high with a win.
Regardless, Green Bay will come out of the bye with five of their final eight games at home and relatively healthy, depending on how this week’s game goes. Their stock keeps rising and this one is there for the taking. They just need to find those good ol’ vibes.
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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com
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150 receiving yards for Greg Olsen? 19 straight home wins for New Orleans?
What’s with the proof reading of this site lately?
Heh, the question’s been asked before, Chad. Apparently the answer is, “We’re not much worried about, y’know, strict accuracy and such.”
Here’s what I want to know: I’ve heard the saying, “Now you’re cooking with gas” (as in natural gas), but what does “cooking with oil” mean? Crisco? Mazola?
Cooking with gas is overrated
Olsen actually had 105 yards, that was a mistype. Call it dyslexia. Saints home winning streak is true. Tell ya what, I’ll refund you this month’s subscription price. How’s that sound?
Looking past you uncalled-for sarcasm, NO lost to CAR in the final game in 2012.
I’m sorry you found my comment sarcastic, Chad. Overlooking my “sarcasm” would also include not mentioning it so it’s not really overlooking. I don’t include my thoughts on your initial comment because I’m overlooking it. See the difference?
Here’s the deal, I will look up some general info but I’m not Ty Dunne or Bob McGinn. Sometimes inaccurate information is out there. For example, here’s the article by a staff writer in New Orleans who refers to a 19-game winning streak by the Saints. Go harass the guys that get paid.
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2014/10/can_the_saints_stop_the_packer.html
Chad.. easy buddy. While you always want to limit them, mistakes do happen. I enjoy this site tremendously – typos or not. 😉
No worries, Bear. Part of the issue is that the 19-game home winning streak for the Saints is under head coach Sean Payton. In 2012, while the Panthers did beat the Saints at home in week 17, Payton wasn’t coaching because of his suspension.
Valid points were made, it was the “how” that was the issue. Email me, email Al, say whatever you want or complain in that forum. Post a comment here that way, be prepared for what comes.
Very well, I apologize. Here’s the truth. Of all the Green Bay Packers fan sites, this is the one I enjoy the most. I don’t think Cheesehead tv or total Packers have got anything on you guys.
I’m used to seeing you guys write to high standards, so with how many errors I saw your guys latest articles was just a little troubling.
I myself am not a great writer, but when I used to write, I would ache for hours over proof-reading my material. Just something I take a little pride in.
That’s high praise, Chad and thank you. We expect to earn that type of accolade and like Bearameat says, we don’t try to publish erroneous content. While it shouldn’t ever happen, sometimes it does.
I think I speak for the entire team here in saying that we do our best to proof and double check our info. We all enjoy what we do here or we wouldn’t do it. While it is a hobby for us, we still take personal pride and stake in what goes out. . and what comes back.
I’ll admit, I am quick to react and sometimes my humor doesn’t translate well in text. We all appreciate everyone here and enjoy the interaction.
Go Pack Go!