Green Bay Packers vs New Orleans Saints

Jordan Love has been as good as Green Bay could hope through two games. His completion percentage is low, but he has thrown for six TDs and has yet to throw a pick. The issue for Green Bay is they were about even with Chicago in total yards, and were beaten soundly by Atlanta from the line of scrimmage where they lost the yardage battle 446-224. Love is going to make mistakes sooner or later, and while he has been serviceable so far, the Packers offense has produced just 275 yards per game, and the defense is not good enough to make that work. New Orleans is the best defense the Packers will have played so far, and I don't see Love having a good game. The Saints have not allowed more than 18 points in any of their last eight games and no more than 20 in their last 10. I don't think the numbers work here for Green Bay. I will make the play on New Orleans.

The Green Bay Packers survived the off-field drama as Aaron Rodgers threatened to retire or sit out the season. Thankfully for Green Bay fans, Rodgers will be at QB for what looks like one more run at a Super Bowl. The Packers caught another break when this game was moved to a neutral site in Jacksonville, Fla. The Saints lose what is a tremendous home-field advantage. New Orleans will have a new QB for the first time in a long time with the retirement of Drew Brees as they will go with Jameis Winston. Winston just never lived up to his billing in Tampa, as the Bucs never had a winning record with him at QB, and his career mark of 28-42 is deserving. Winston's last full season saw him throw a ridiculous 30 INT's. Green Bay has a top-five caliber team, and Rodgers, who tends to back up promises, says the fooling around is over, and Green Bay is going to rise to the occasion this season. I expect a big game by the Packers, and Winston is just not in the same league as Rodgers. Make the play on Green Bay.

Green Bay came back from a 14-3 deficit to defeat the hapless Lions 42-21 as Aaron Jones ran for 168 yards with three touchdowns, including one receiving and Aaron Rodgers finished 18 of 30 for 240 yards and no interceptions. The Packers offense has steamrolled its first two opponents piling up 85 points against Minnesota and Detroit and now it faces a Saints squad that was embarrassed on Monday night by Derek Carr and the Raiders and playing on a short week. New Orleans went up against an injury-depleted offensive line and still Las Vegas controlled the second half and came out with a 34-24 victory. It's getting more apparent that Drew Brees has lost some arm strength although he did complete 26 of 38 for 312 yards. However, he missed several targets and was hit five times while avoiding a sack. Green Bay has covered five of their last seven dating to last year and the Saints are 4-9 ATS as home favorites. The Saints severely miss star wide receiver Michael Thomas, who is highly questionable for this game. Right now, the Packers have the clear edge with Rodgers vs. an aging Brees, and they are getting points against a rattled Saints squad. Take the Packers.