Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints Odds & Game Pick (2021)

Sep 11, 2021 - 10:55 AM

Green Bay and New Orleans have had similar paths over the last year. Both these teams are coming off excellent 2020 seasons. They had offseason issues with their quarterbacks. Drew Brees retired from New Orleans, and Aaron Rodgers came out and said he did not want to play for Green Bay anymore, Causing issues for both teams. New Orleans has their starting quarterback in Jameis Winston and a great backup in Taysom Hill. The last time Jameis was a starter, he threw for 30 TDs and 30 interceptions in a single season. Let us look at what bettors will need to look for in this Week 1 matchup.

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

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Details

• Opening Lines: Green Bay Packers  -3.5, Total 50.0, Green Bay ML -210
• Current Winning Streak: Green Bay Packers (1)
• Last Meeting: September 27, 2020, Green Bay Packers (37-30)

Overview

The New Orleans Saints are a different team this year without future hall of fame quarterback Drew Brees. They will also be missing All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas for the first six weeks, giving some uncertainty for the Saints, QB, and WR positions. We don’t know what they are going to do or who is going to step up. Alvin Kamara is still one of the best running backs in the league and will get his touches. Lativus Murray, the change of pace back was released a couple of days ago, so Kamara will get more reps this week until they find a complementary back to Kamara. This offense will spend Week 1 finding out who is going to step up. 

The New Orleans defense looks to be good this year. They have Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport on the defensive line. Kwon Alexander starts at weakside linebacker, and the secondary has Marshon Lattimore and Malcolm Jenkins as key starters. Bradley Roby is suspended, and Green Bay will exploit the left cornerback position frequently. The defense will have to do everything it can to try and hold one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL to as few points as possible.

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Green Bay is as strong as ever on offense. Aaron Rodgers, the reigning MVP, ended up back on the team after disarray in the offseason. Devante Adams is back and healthy going into 2021. Aaron Jones resigned, and Randell Cobb is back. Expect this team to be very balanced on the run and passing game. WIth one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, we should see the two defensive ends of New Orleans very limited in getting to Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay will score points and control the clock. 

Green Bay addressed their defensive weaknesses during the draft this year. Grabbing first-rounder Erik Stokes gave them an additional cornerback and some depth at the position. TJ Slaton will pair well with Kenny Clark upfront to provide another great defensive tackle. The rest of the defense was excellent last year. The secondary is elite and will make it hard for Jameis Winston not to turn the ball over. Edge rushers Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gary will have opportunities to get to the quarterback. They are weak down the middle, so Alvin Kamara will get opportunities in the run game. 

Bottom Line

New Orleans has too many question marks at this point in the season to pick them to win this game. Green Bay is coming over back-to-back NFC championship appearances. Green Bay was able to return almost all their starters. The one starter they did not retain, they drafted a center in the second round to replace. The defense will be excellent as well. Sean Payton is an excellent coach and still has weapons on both sides of the ball. I like to tease this spread to a field goal and grab Green Bay at -3. 

Pick: Teaser: Green Bay -3 (-135)

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Cameron Lynch is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Cameron, check out his archive and follow him @captron26.

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