The Green Bay Packers clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC after Sunday's win over the Chicago Bears, and enter the playoffs as the presumptive favorite to win the conference title.

Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be named league MVP after leading the NFL in completion percentage (70.7), touchdown passes (48), interception percentage (1.0), total QBR (84.4) and adjusted net yards gained per pass attempt (8.89). Rodgers has developed a tremendous rapport with Davante Adams, and the Packers have balance with Aaron Jones as a two-way threat out of the backfield.

Moreover, Green Bay boasts one of the better defenses in the league. The Packers rank ninth in total yards allowed, including seventh in passing yards allowed.

The road to the Super Bowl will run through Green Bay, and the Packers will hope to defend Lambeau Field. They also have the advantage of being the lone NFC team with a bye due to the expanded playoffs.

But the Packers will have to overcome hurdles en route to the Super Bowl, and the team is still reeling from the loss of All-Pro offensive tackle David Bakhtiari.

One team in particular has the best chance of challenging the Packers for the right to go to the Super Bowl: the New Orleans Saints.

It starts with defense

Any team hoping to defeat the Packers will need balance, though it will be imperative to pressure Rodgers and keep Green Bay's offense off the board.

The Saints have as talented a defense as any in football.

New Orleans ranked fifth in opponents scoring and fourth in total yards allowed. The Saints ranked third in takeaways, including first in interceptions (18). Moreover, the front seven dominates against the run, allowing just 3.9 yards per carry this season.

The loss of Bakhtiari could loom large here for Green Bay. New Orleans can bring pressure from the interior and the outside, with defensive tackle David Onyemata stuffing the middle and both Cam Jordan and Trey Hendrickson bringing it from the edge.

All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis is also equally proficient playing up in the box or bringing pressure, and should allow the Saints to throw multiple looks at Rodgers.

Additionally, the Saints have one of the more notable shutdown corners in Marshon Lattimore, who would undoubtedly cover Adams in a hypothetical matchup between the two teams. Almost nobody can cover Adams one-on-one, but Lattimore can get help over the top from Malcolm Jenkins and Marcus Williams.

New Orleans will press Rodgers and the rest of the Packers offense to be more creative and diversify their looks. It could be tough for A-Rod to get into a rhythm if the Saints can stop the run and consistently force him to look off Adams and revert to second or third reads.

Asserting Alvin Kamara

Running back Alvin Kamara could have missed out on New Orleans' first playoff game after testing positive for COVID-19 last week.

However, the Saints will play their Wild Card game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, meaning Kamara can play if he does not experience any setbacks. That is good news for New Orleans, because they need the Pro Bowler to keep the momentum rolling.

Kamara had his first 100-yard rushing performance against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16, also tying the single-game record with six rushing touchdowns. His health and effectiveness will be vital against a Green Bay team giving up 4.5 yards per carry this season.

While Kamara had a big game against the Packers last time out (Week 3), it was mostly as a receiver. He had 13 catches for 139 yards and two scores in a prolific outing, but the Packers still won the game. What might go unrecognized is the fact Kamara averaged nearly 10 yards per carry during that game.

The Saints will want to control the clock to keep Rodgers and the Packers off the field. This should result in a heavier dose of Kamara on the ground, which only makes sense given he averaged 5.0 yards per carry this season and ripped Green Bay last time out.

Kamara has been the Saints' most important weapon all year, but he could be especially vital in defeating the Packers.

In conclusion

The Saints probably have the sturdiest and most balanced defense to combat Green Bay's high-scoring exploits. If they can get pressure, they will force the issue a bit.

New Orleans also moves the ball effectively through the air and can control the clock by feeding Kamara in the ground game.

Those two factors make New Orleans one of the biggest threats in the NFC.