Special Preview- NFL, Week One
Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints
Packers: Two years in a row of clinching byes in the playoffs and getting to the NFC Championship in the first few seasons of Matt LaFleur’s tenure. That’s something to celebrate, right? Not necessarily because they got there and didn’t win. It was quite the off-season for them in 2021. On draft night, Aaron Rodgers announces he wants out and at that time, I didn’t blame him because what exactly did he have around him? One side of the ball has always been stronger than the other with the Packers. At the end of July, it was announced that Aaron would return to the team. He will become the first Packers quarterback to play 17 seasons with the franchise. Both Brett Favre and the late Bart Starr both played 16 seasons in Green Bay. With Aaron under center, the Packers are a lock to win 11 games. They’re a completely different team without him. During the NFC title game last year, I stated the Packers needed that slot presence. They fix that and bring Randall Cobb back to the Packers. Another win for them in the off-season was locking Aaron Jones up to a long-term deal. Once again, their success will lie upon their defense. They will kickoff their new season on Sunday.
Saints: Eventually, there was going to be a day when Drew Brees wasn’t going to be on the field as a starting quarterback. After 20 seasons, the future Hall of Famer did what many of us expected and that’s retire. Sean Payton had a decision to make and that was who would be taking over after Drew retired. Taysom Hill is a guy that can do a lot on the field to keep a defense second guessing because he can run the wildcat, he lines up as a receiver and makes catches and runs jet sweeps. But my concern with him was could he drop back in the pocket and throw the football 40 times a game? Then, you have Jameis Winston who’s more of your traditional quarterback. I understand turnovers have been an issue with him over the years. I think under Sean’s tutelage, he can flourish and if he cuts down on the interceptions, the Saints will be in a good position. Sean decided to name Jameis the starting quarterback. With Michael Thomas out to start the season, the offense will be built around Alvin Kamara who had the best year of his young career in 2020. On the defensive side, the Saints have improved under defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen. Entering this year though, things will be different. He will be without Troy Hendrickson, Kwon Alexander, Malcom Brown, Sheldon Rankins and Janoris Jenkins. The Saints enter with question marks about their secondary. The shining points of this defense once again will be Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis. Week one has arrived. The Saints will do battle with the defending NFC North champions.
Packers X-Factor: Randall Cobb– You bought him back for a reason. I see him picking up where he left off with Aaron Rodgers from years ago. This was truly what the Packers missed in 2020 and that was that slot presence over the middle. Just having Randall back allows Davante Adams to have pressure taken off of him. Aaron has his safety valve back. As I always say, every quarterback has one.
Saints X-Factor: Marcus Davenport– The Saints will need him to step up big time this year. He can fill the void that Troy Hendrickson left by becoming that pass rusher alongside Cameron Jordan. Marcus is a 6’7 defensive end with all the upside in the world. Now, I need to see if he can put it together on a weekly basis. Only time will tell.
Final Thoughts: This could be a fun game. For the first time since 2005, the Saints will be with another quarterback not named Drew. On the other side, who thought Aaron would be back for this? I’m attacking the Packers linebackers as often as I can if I’m the Saints. That’s still the weak point of their defense. Get Kamara involved in the passing game, use a tight end over the middle or a shifty receiver. Look for the Packers to fire early at the Saints secondary as often as possible. Lots of quick passes, screens and dump offs. I see points being scored in this one.
Prediction: Packers 31 Saints 27
