Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints Week 3 game preview
The Green Bay Packers (1-1) will return home to play the New Orleans Saints (2-0) in the home opener on Sunday at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.
The Packers squandered a chance to start 2-0 by letting a 24-12 lead slip away in the fourth quarter of Week 2. The Saints, meanwhile, are one of three 2-0 teams in the NFC South after beating the Carolina Panthers on the road on Monday night.
Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma will be on the call for FOX. Brad Rogers will be the referee.
Dating back to 2008, the Packers have lost four of the last seven games against the Saints, including a 38-3 loss on the road to open the 2021 season. The Saints beat the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers at Lambeau Field 26-17 in 2017, marking the last time these two teams played in Green Bay. The Packers won back-to-back games over the Saints in 2011 and 2012 and took down the Saints at the Superdome in 2020.
Coach Matt LaFleur is 1-1 against the Saints since becoming Packers coach in 2019. He has never faced Saints coach Dennis Allen.
The Saints are starting a new era under Allen and veteran quarterback Derek Carr, who was signed this offseason. Allen is entering Year 2 as Saints coach; Carr arrived in New Orleans after spending nine seasons with the Raiders.
Overall, the Packers are 17-10 against the Saints, with a 10-3 mark at home.
Packers team capsule
Saints team capsule
Packers Week 2 highlights (lost, 25-24 to Falcons)
Saints Week 2 highlights (Won, 20-17 over Panthers)
Injuries to watch
The Packers were without left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee), running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) and receiver Chrisitan Watson (hamstring) in Week 2, and left guard Elgton Jenkins went down with a multi-week knee injury. It’s unclear if Bakhtiari, Jones or Watson will be available in Week 3. The Saints are unlikely to have running back Jamaal Williams, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Receiver Tre’Quan Smith and defensive lineman Payton Turner are on injured reserve.
Opening betting line (GB -2.0)
The Packers opened the week as 2.0-point favorites, per BetMGM. The over/under is 42.5 points. The Packers are one of 11 home favorites entering Week 3. The 42.5 points is the fourth-lowest over/under of the week. Despite starting last week as the favorite, the line closed as Packers +3.0, meaning Green Bay covered as a 1-point loser in Week 2. The Saints pushed as a 3.0-point favorite last week.
