Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints Betting Preview (Sunday)
The post-Drew Brees era for the New Orleans Saints is set to commence on Sunday. Jameis Winston won the preseason competition over Taysom Hill to be the one trying to fill the shoes of the sure-fire Hall of Famer.
As if facing another no-doubt future Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers was not daunting enough, Winston and the Saints will do so away from their home dome in New Orleans, due to the damage caused by Hurricane Ida. Although the Saints will be the home team on Sunday, the game will be played in the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
According to MyBookie, one of the Top Sportsbooks at Online Betting Sports, the Packers are 4.5-point favorites.
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Rodgers Ready to Lead the Pack
The offseason for Green Bay was drama-filled with news of Rodgers possibly not coming back to the team. The perennial Pro Bowler finally reported to camp, and all is well in Packers land, at least for the time being.
Rodgers may be tested a bit on Sunday as New Orleans finished last season as the No. 4 defense overall and was fifth in the league against the pass allowing just 217 yards per game. Rodgers, the reigning NFL MVP, led the league with 48 touchdown passes last season while throwing for 4,300 yards and just five interceptions.
Packing the Power
Aside from his future with the team, there’s no reason why Rodgers should not put up similar numbers as his MVP year from last year. Rodgers has all of his weapons back from a season ago, led by his favorite option in Devante Adams.
The No. 1 receiver hauled in 18 touchdowns last season in addition to nearly 1,400 yards. Marquez Valdez-Scantling is WR2, while Allen Lazard No. 3 and long-time favorite Randall Cobb was brought back to the Packers in the offseason as well.
Aaron Jones heads the backfield after a 1,100-yard 9-touchdown year a season ago, while A.J. Dillon and rookie Kylin Hill will also get reps.
Robert Tonyan, who was one the biggest surprises in the entire league last year, returns as the Packers’ No. 1 option at tight end, with Mercedes Lewis in the mix as well. Top 5 defense or not, the Saints could be looking at a long day on Sunday.
Who Will Jameis Turn To?
Aside from the starting quarterback battle, the biggest news from the Saints camp in the offseason was the health of Michael Thomas. The Saints’ top receiver will start the season on the IR, which leaves Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey as the top three WRs on the Saints depth chart. The trio of unproven receivers combined for 700 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season.
Can Kamara Shoulder the Load?
The Pro-Bowl running back scored a combined 21 touchdowns last season, with 16 coming on the ground. Kamara racked up just under 1,700 yards from scrimmage last season as he rushed for 932 yards and added 756 yards through the air on a career-high 83 receptions.
With unproven backs Tony Jones and Dwayne Washington serving as No. 2 and No. 3 on the RB depth chart, Kamara may have his number called even more this season in both the running and passing game.
Packers at Saints Betting Odds
As mentioned above, Green Bay is favored by 4.5 points in this one. Bettors can get the same -110 odds for the Packers to cover at both MyBookie and Bovada, another top sportsbook at Online Betting Sports
Bettors taking the Saints to cover the +4.5 have -115 odds and +175 odds on the Moneyline. Those wanting to take the Packers outright will have to pony up $210 to win $100 at the current -210 odds on the Packers ML. Bovada has the Over/Under set at 50 points. Taking the Over has odds at -105, while the Under currently sits at -115 odds.
Packers at Saints Betting Prediction
In what many are calling Rodgers’ last dance in Green Bay, expect the MVP to come out of the gate slinging and not slowing down from his 2020 pace. Aside from Kamara, the Saints simply do not have the firepower to keep up with the Pack in this one.
Green Bay should have no problem covering the -4.5 (-110).
Final Score Prediction: Green Bay 37, New Orleans 13
