The New Orleans Saints (5-9) travel to Green Bay to play the Packers (10-4). New Orleans has essentially surrendered with multiple starters out. Green Bay is locked in its current position in the NFC. They are playing out the season awaiting their Wild Card opponent. Our Saints vs Packers prediction is for favored Green Bay to cover the massive 14-point spread.
Head-to-head, Green Bay has won 18 of the 28 matchups between the teams.
Offshore Odds: Packers Favored by 2 Touchdowns
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | +14 (-106) | +790 | O 42 (-110) |
| Packers | -14 (-114) | -1300 | U 42 (-110) |
New Orleans Sits Most of Its Top Players
New Orleans briefly looked as if it could make a playoff run after firing head coach Dennis Allen and replacing him on an interim basis with special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi. However, they quickly faded.
Now, with starting quarterback Derek Carr out with an injured hand and star running back Alvin Kamara out with a groin injury, they are undermanned and inexperienced.
Rookie Spencer Rattler is starting at quarterback. Against Washington in Week 15, Rattler replaced fellow youngster Jake Haener. Haener had completed four of 10 passes for 49 yards. Rattler rallied the team and nearly pulled off the upset with a touchdown with no time on the clock. Their attempt to win it on a two-point conversion failed and the Commanders won 20-19.
Despite that, they have fought hard under Rizzi, giving him a reasonable chance at getting the full-time job.
Green Bay Remains Stuck in Their Current Spot
Under normal circumstances, the Packers’ 10-4 record would be good enough to fight for a division title. Unfortunately, they are in the NFC North — the toughest division in the NFL — and are behind Detroit and Minnesota, both 12-2.
There are some understated advantages. They can rest ailing players and prepare for the Wild Card round. Of course, they want to maximize their record in case the teams with better records lose in the playoffs. It can give Green Bay later-round home games in the postseason.
Running back Josh Jacobs has worked hard all season with nearly 1,500 total yards from scrimmage. Romeo Doubs returned last week from a concussion. Quarterback Jordan Love had a knee injury early in the season. The key for Green Bay is to win and keep its stars healthy, not necessarily in that order.
The Packers are +10 in takeaway differential. Facing the rookie Rattler and inexperienced skill players should mean some turnovers. Green Bay’s best-case scenario is to blow it open early and coast for the second half.
Saints vs Packers Prediction: Green Bay Will Overwhelm New Orleans
A 14-point spread can be intimidating, but Green Bay still needs to win to maintain its current seeding. Rattler is too inexperienced and Green Bay is opportunistic. The Packers will overwhelm the Saints.
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