The 2021 NFL season is right around the corner and fans cannot wait to see football back and operating at 100 percent capacity. While the league was able to pull off a complete 2020 season, the fans were missing for many teams. Getting fans back into the seats will be exciting, especially for one of the biggest games in Week 1, as the Green Bay Packers hit the road to take on the New Orleans Saints.
Both teams are expected to be contenders in the NFC, although they both have a ton of question marks still surrounding them as well.
Packers vs. Saints: Week 1 Predictions
For the Saints, they are entering a new era of football without superstar quarterback Drew Brees being in town. Brees opted to retire following last season, which has left the Saints with Jameis Winston as their projected starter. They still have a very talented offense around their quarterback and their defense, though still with room to improve, has quite a bit of talent as well,
On the other hand, the Packers are in the middle of a drama-filled offseason with Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers reportedly does not want to play for the Packers in 2021 and has tried to orchestrate a trade out of Green Bay. The franchise does not seem interested in trading him and they are optimistic that the issues can be fixed to keep him around this season.
All of that being said, let's dive in and take a look at three very early predictions for the Packers vs. Saints matchup in Week 1 to kick off the season.
3. The New-Look Saints' Offense Looks Dynamic
While some fans are worried about how the offense will look without Brees, Winston and company are going to put a lot of minds at ease following their Week 1 performance. Green Bay does not have a terrible defense, but Winston's arm will be shown off in full. He will throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns, while limiting his interception total to just one.
Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas are still on the roster and as long as they are there, the Saints are going to be dangerous. New Orleans did lose veteran playmaking tight end Jared Cook, but they are still going to be one of the NFL's best offenses.
In some ways, Winston being the starting quarterback could actually help the Saints. He has a much bigger arm and has a much better ability to throw the deep ball. With threats all over the field, the Saints are going to be a very fun team to watch this year.
2. Aaron Rodgers Starts And Looks Like An MVP Again
What everyone wants to know about this game is whether or not the Packers will have the reigning NFL MVP starting under center. That answer is yes and not only will Rodgers be the starting quarterback for Green Bay, he will get the 2021 off to another MVP-caliber start. Rodgers and the Packers are going to figure things out and he will remain the team's franchise face.
Against a very talented Saints' defense, Rodgers is going to put up monster numbers. He will throw for at least 350 yards and four touchdowns. Once again, Rodgers has something to prove and he always plays better with a chip on his shoulder.
Rodgers and the Packers have made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game in each of the last two years. Unfortunately, they have lost both of those games and have failed to make the Super Bowl. This season, they believe that they can make the leap into the big game and Rodgers has a fire lit inside him to get there, which will result in a lot of success for the offense.
1. Green Bay Opens Their Season With A Nail-Biting Victory
Both of these teams are going to be very dangerous in the NFC, but only one of them can come out victorious in Week 1. When looking at these two franchises, the Packers do look the best on paper. While it will be a close game, the Packers are going to be able to make enough plays to get the job done and start their season with a win.
We are predicting that the final score of this game will be decided by a touchdown or less. It will come down to the wire and will give the fans something to enjoy.
The main difference in this game will simply be the fact that the Packers have a better playmaking defense. With Jaire Alexander, Za'Darius Smith, Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage Jr., Preston Smith, Kenny Clark, Kevin King, and even Eric Stokes on the roster, they will be able to make more plays and get more stops than the Saints. That will help carry Green Bay to the big-time win.
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