Packerlifer
Cheesehead
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2008
- Messages
- 1,782
- Reaction score
- 118
The last two times these two clubs faced off it went down to literally the last play of the game before being decided. The Packers stopped the Saints on the goal line as both time and downs expired in 2011 to preserve a 42-34 win. In 2012 the Saints missed a last second field goal allowing the Pack to escape with a 28-27 decision. Expect Sunday night's game to follow suit, except that those earlier games were at Lambeau Field and this one is in N'Awlins where the Saints seldom lose.
This game could be a "pivot" for the rest of the season for the Packers. Win to go to 6-2 at the halfway point and going in to the bye and we could be looking at a 13-3 or even 14-2 season and home field for the playoffs. A loss, while hardly devastating and the expectations would have to be scaled back to more of an 11-5/10-6 year; still enough for the playoffs and probably the division title. It would, however, leave Green Bay with 3 defeats in conference, which could be problematic in an end of the season tiebreaker scenario.
Despite the talk about the Saints not being like the Saints of recent years I don't underestimate them; especially in their home dome. The league and NBC chose this game for its Sunday night showcase for a reason. The fans can count on a really exciting show.
These two tend to mirror each other. Both have explosive offenses, led by elite, premier all-pro quarterbacks. Both have won a Super Bowl in recent memory. Both have been perenniel playoff teams in recent years. And both have suspect defenses that usually draw the finger of blame for defeats and are considered the element that keeps them from the Super Bowl again.
Defense, though, will actually be what determines the outcome of this game. Which one can make the critical stop or force the crucial turnover(s) will be the one that likely wins the game.
New Orleans' defense actually ranks 10th in the league, while the Packers are 26th. But the difference between the two is only about 11 yds per game. The Packers are allowing slightly fewer points (21 ppg-27.5) but have a big edge in turnovers. Green Bay leads the league with 14 and the Packers are plus-10 on the turnover ratio while the Saints have mustered only 4 and are minu-7 in the turnover ratio.
The Packer defense will probably have to pick Drew Brees at least twice in this game, and maybe get a fumble recovery somewhere for good measure, for Green Bay to win this game. It's certainly doable. Brees has been picked 7 times already this season and the Saints have turned the ball over 11 times, compared to just 4 by the Packers.
This game will again go down to the wire and could be an overtime affair. Whoever has the ball last in the fourth quarter probably wins the game.
This game could be a "pivot" for the rest of the season for the Packers. Win to go to 6-2 at the halfway point and going in to the bye and we could be looking at a 13-3 or even 14-2 season and home field for the playoffs. A loss, while hardly devastating and the expectations would have to be scaled back to more of an 11-5/10-6 year; still enough for the playoffs and probably the division title. It would, however, leave Green Bay with 3 defeats in conference, which could be problematic in an end of the season tiebreaker scenario.
Despite the talk about the Saints not being like the Saints of recent years I don't underestimate them; especially in their home dome. The league and NBC chose this game for its Sunday night showcase for a reason. The fans can count on a really exciting show.
These two tend to mirror each other. Both have explosive offenses, led by elite, premier all-pro quarterbacks. Both have won a Super Bowl in recent memory. Both have been perenniel playoff teams in recent years. And both have suspect defenses that usually draw the finger of blame for defeats and are considered the element that keeps them from the Super Bowl again.
Defense, though, will actually be what determines the outcome of this game. Which one can make the critical stop or force the crucial turnover(s) will be the one that likely wins the game.
New Orleans' defense actually ranks 10th in the league, while the Packers are 26th. But the difference between the two is only about 11 yds per game. The Packers are allowing slightly fewer points (21 ppg-27.5) but have a big edge in turnovers. Green Bay leads the league with 14 and the Packers are plus-10 on the turnover ratio while the Saints have mustered only 4 and are minu-7 in the turnover ratio.
The Packer defense will probably have to pick Drew Brees at least twice in this game, and maybe get a fumble recovery somewhere for good measure, for Green Bay to win this game. It's certainly doable. Brees has been picked 7 times already this season and the Saints have turned the ball over 11 times, compared to just 4 by the Packers.
This game will again go down to the wire and could be an overtime affair. Whoever has the ball last in the fourth quarter probably wins the game.