Both teams are without their biggest playmaker at the receiver position for tonight’s prime time game. The Green Bay Packers (2-0) are in New Orleans to take on the Saints (1-1) 7:20 PM CST on NBC. The Saints have ruled out all-pro wide receiver Michael Thomas with an ankle injury. For the Packers, three-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams is listed as doubtful, but the Packers are giving Adams until game time to make an official decision.
If Adams can’t go, that leaves the Packers with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Malik Taylor, and newly signed Darrius Shepherd as Aaron Rodgers targets. Look for running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams to have prominent roles in the passing attack and tight ends Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis.
The Packers have scored over 40 points in their first two games despite getting off to slow starts. Rodgers has 604 yards and six touchdowns and no interceptions and has completed 67% of his passes. He’s been sacked once so far this year.
Despite a few drops, Valdes-Scantling has also made some big plays for the Packers and will need to continue to do so. On the ground, Jones has 234 yards and three touchdowns while Williams has 84 yards on 15 carries.
On the defensive side, the Packers will need to slow down running back Alvin Kamara and quarterback Drew Brees. Brees misses Thomas for sure but can still get the job done. Kamara does anything you ask of him, and multi-use Taysom Hill is a threat whenever he steps on the field. The Packers are giving up 27.5 points a game, a cause of concern with a Saints team that can put up points.
Brees has 472 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception on 64% passing. Kamara is the leading rusher and receiver for the Saints. He has three touchdowns on the ground and 95 yards while he’s hauled in 14 receptions for 146 yards and a score.
