Sunday, September 27, 2020, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, 8:20 p.m. ET
Packers at Saints Betting Preview: Packers (+3.5/-114), Saints (-3.5/-107)
Green Bay Packers
How potent has the Packers’ offense been during the team’s 2-0 start? Well, the 85 points and 1,010 net yards of offense makes Green Bay the fourth team in NFL history to register at least 80 points and 1,000 net yards of offense through the first two weeks of a season.
While Aaron Rodgers routinely receives the verbal bouquets when one discusses the Packers’ offense, the man who shares his first name — Aaron Jones — has been greatly responsible for the team’s early success. Jones is averaging a robust 6.9 yards per carry and has an NFL-best 234 rushing yards heading into the Sunday night affair.
Jones rolled up a career-high 236 scrimmage yards (168 rushing, 68 receiving) and three total touchdowns in Green Bay’s 42-21 victory over Detroit last Sunday. Jones may have to do even more versus the Saints, considering Pro Bowl wideout Davante Adams is nursing a strained hamstring that likely will keep his availability for the contest in doubt until late in the week at the earliest.
New Orleans Saints
Future Hall of Famer Drew Brees found himself answering questions about a perceived decline after his completion percentage of 64.7 through two games sits nearly 10 points under his season totals in 2018 and 2019. Brees, 41, threw for just 160 yards in the Saints’ season-opening win over Tampa Bay before compiling 312 in last Monday’s 34-24 setback to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The electric Alvin Kamara has rushed for three touchdowns while reeling in 14 receptions for 146 yards and a score this season. Kamara amassed 174 scrimmage yards (95 receiving, 79 rushing) versus the Raiders as the Saints attempted to adjust to the absence of All-Pro wideout Michael Thomas, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.
Tre’Quan Smith stepped up with five catches for 86 yards and former Packers tight end Jared Cook found the end zone on Monday. Emmanuel Sanders wasn’t as fortunate, as the offseason acquisition saved what would have been a fruitless night by making an 18-yard catch in the final minute of the contest.
Packers at Saints Betting Pick for Week 3
As stated previously, the Saints found themselves on the business end of a setback on national television on Monday. Now, the last time New Orleans lost consecutive contests was the first two games of the 2017 season.
A short week filled with criticism and another expected absence of Thomas has the Saints’ offense bordering on one-dimensional. Look for Green Bay to continue its winning ways.
Packers at Saints Betting Pick:
Packers 27, Saints 21
Packers at Saints Best Bet for Week 3
Adams joked on Wednesday that the Packers can win without him, with Green Bay doing precisely that last season in all four games that he missed due to turf toe.
While that’s no laughing matter to the Packers’ faithful, a hobbled Adams will indeed slow down the team’s offense. With Thomas likely sidelined for the Saints, the points won’t be as plentiful in this one.
Packers at Saints Best Bet: UNDER 52.5 (-110)
