Due to damage from Hurricane Ida, Week 1's Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints game has been relocated to Jacksonville. It’s time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Packers-Saints prediction and pick.
While the Jameis Winston era begins in New Orleans, this may very well be Aaron Rodgers' last season in Green Bay. Although this rivalry will not be the same without Drew Brees, both teams should be playoff contenders this season. Jameis Winston remains one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the league, and he's getting his shot at redemption. It will be interesting to see the amount of Saints fans who travel to this “home” game in northern Florida.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the lines for Sunday's matchup.
NFL Odds: Packers-Saints Odds
Green Bay Packers (-190)
New Orleans Saints (+160)
Over 49 1/2 points (-110)
Under 49 1/2 points (-110)
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Why The Saints Could Win
Following Drew Brees' departure, Jameis Winston takes over as the starting quarterback in New Orleans. After winning the preseason battle with Taysom Hill, Winston become a full-time starter for the first time since 2019.
Last year, Winston played in just four games for the Saints, and none of them were starts. But in 2019 with the Bucs, Winston threw for over 5,000 yards and connected on 33 passing touchdowns. I'd expect the Saints to regress this season slightly with Brees gone, but don't sleep on Winston. He has the potential to be one of the NFL's best comeback stories this season after barely playing last year.
This game is also being played in a neutral location (Jacksonville), not far at all from where Winston became one of the best players in college football at Florida State (Tallahassee). Winston won a national title with the Seminoles, and I believe he'll lead the Saints to an upset victory in this game as well. Another factor for the Saints here is that they are playing with their hearts for the entire city of New Orleans after a hurricane devastated so much of the city. The Saints starting out 1-0 will be a huge lift for the state of Louisiana.
Why The Packers Could Win
After much offseason drama, Aaron Rodgers is back in the green and gold. Many are speculating that this may Rodgers' final season with the Packers, but that is yet to be known.
What is for sure, though, is that Rodgers remains one of the NFL's elite and has his eyes set on bringing Green Bay their first Super Bowl title since the 2010 season. The Rodgers-Davante Adams connection should be one of the league's best this season, and I expect Adams to catch his first touchdown of the season in this game against the Saints. Rodgers has a 4-2 regular-season record against the Saints and should fare better at TIAA Bank Stadium rather than the New Orleans Superdome, which is notoriously difficult to play in for opposing teams.
Rodgers is playing this entire season with a chip on his shoulder; his season already reminds me of MJ's “Last Dance” with the Bulls in 1997-98, which might be a good omen for the Pack. Will they close out Rodgers' Green Bay tenure with a Super Bowl win? Maybe, but for now, Rodgers has the talent and the motivation to walk into Jacksonville and earn a win against an average Saints defense.
Final Packers-Saints Prediction & Pick
The Saints win this game for NOLA. Jameis Winston throws for over 400 yards as the Saints rip through Green Bay's secondary. Rodgers adds three touchdowns of his own, but it's not enough as the Saints earn a 35-32 win.
FINAL PACKERS-SAINTS PREDICTION & PICK: Saints MONEYLINE (+160)
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