The Sunday Morning Packers Gameday Preview

In this week's edition of The Sunday Morning Packers Gameday Preview, I give you my thoughts on tonight's clash of future hall of fame quarterbacks.

Good Morning Packer Nation!!! Welcome to The Sunday Morning Packers Gameday Preview!  This week the Green Bay Packers will be in the spotlight of Sunday Night Football as they take on the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome.  Who will emerge victorious from tonight's clash of future hall of fame quarterbacks? I will provide the answer to that question and more in this week’s edition of The Sunday Morning Packers Gameday Preview.    

Today, I will talk about how I see this week’s game playing out, three burning questions that will determine the outcome of tonight's game, as well as some fantasy players I think you should use, as well as my picks, parlays, and game props for week 3.  I am happy to have you with me here today for the Packers first Sunday Night game of the year, so just sit back, relax, and enjoy this morning’s Packers Gameday preview with your morning cup of Joe or drink of your choice.

What to Expect Against the Saints in Week 3:

In this week’s matchup both teams are expected to be without their top receivers (Davante Adams and Michael Thomas) which makes this a very interesting game. Drew Brees has shown that he can spread the ball around and get all of his skill players involved so I think that missing Michael Thomas will not hurt the Saints as much as being without Davante Adams will hurt the Packers.  The Saints defense will really be able to load the box and focus all of its effort to containing Aaron Jones in the run game.  I really see this game as uphill battle that will guys like Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling an opportunity to step up.  I see this game turning into another shoot out.  I think the Saints get off to a quick start but the Packers eventually find a way to get Aaron Jones involved and open up their passing attack. My gut feeling is that Savage, Jenkins, and Kenny Clark all play so I think that will give the team a shot in the arm.  This game has all of the makings to be an instant classic.

Three Burning Questions That Will Determine the Outcome of Tonight’s Game:

  1. Will Allen Lazard and MVS step up?
  2. Will Aaron Jones be able to run despite a crowded box?
  3. Can the defense turn Drew Brees over a couple of times?

Sunday Night Fantasy Football Picks (Always Start the Plug and Play Guys):

  1. Alvin Kamara- Invest the money into Alvin Kamara in daily fantasy.
  2.  Allen Lazard- With Davante Adams more than likely out, Lazard will become the de facto number 1 receiver.  I think Lazard could have a career day and could be a steal in daily fantasy.   
  3. Emmanuel Sanders- With Michael Thomas out, Sanders will become the de facto number 1 receiver and get a ton of targets.
  4.  Jared Cook- I always like the tight end matchup against the Packers defense, in this case I think Cook is a sure bet to have at least one score.
  5. Tre’Quan Smith- I think Tre’Quan Smith is always a homerun threat and I think he and Brees hook up for a long score. 

Picks, Parlays, and Game Props:

  1. Anytime touchdown scorer parlay: (Jared Cook, Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones, and Allen Lazard)
  2. Two Touchdown Scorer: Alvin Kamara
  3.  Aaron Rodgers over 253.5 passing yards and over 1.5 passing touchdowns.
  4.  Alvin Kamara over 48.5 receiving yards and Aaron Jones over 29.5 receiving yards.
  5. $5 five team parlay: Colts, Seahawks, Patriots, Steelers, and Browns.
  6. Game Pick: Packers 35 Saints 38, I think the Saints get off to a quick two score lead which ultimately becomes the difference in this classic game. 

Packer fans, I want to hear from you!  Let me know your thoughts on this week's Sunday Night Showdown from Bourbon Street.

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David Michalski is a staff writer for Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter @kilbas27dave 

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Comments (32)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Mistergee5's picture

September 27, 2020 at 06:24 am

Great points.... I think it will come down to Shepherd, Taylor or Sternberger to make a couple of big plays. Lazard and MVS will receive all of the attention so it will be up to others to have a big game. The packers will find a way to win, 28-24.

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Coldworld's picture

September 27, 2020 at 08:12 am

I think Taylor takes a perimeter role (he is fast). That leaves Lazard to attack the middle, hopefully with Tonyan as well. Lazard is TE sized and that gave the Saints fits last week.

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

September 27, 2020 at 07:10 am

I reject your Packers-lose scenario. They cannot lose AND be 19-0 at season’s end. I am also on record saying they will average 45 points this year. The real score will be 40-28...Pack wins big.

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Spock's picture

September 27, 2020 at 10:25 am

:) Make it so, number one.

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ShooterMcGee's picture

September 27, 2020 at 07:33 am

Last year when Adams was out 4 games the offense actually looked better. This is not a knock on Davante, it is evidence of the adaptability of the offense. The Play calling got more creative while the ball was distributed around much more. This week I see the TEs being more involved in the passing game. Look for TE screens, Tonyan down the seam, and the Sternberger drop play. Maybe we also see Dillon in the backfield with Jones in the slot. Some jet sweeps to Swervin should be in the mix. Nawlins won't be able to slow us down. Pack win 38-30.

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Coldworld's picture

September 27, 2020 at 08:14 am

While MVS and Lazard will need to make plays, whichever of Taylor or Shepherd is active as the 3rd receiver will get a big opportunity.

That said, this game is even more poised for Tonyan or even Sternberger. Lazard adds a quasi TE type too. NO will focus on the run and struggled mightily against an athletic TE last week. Deguara, if he plays too. If not will we get Lovett into the passing game. These guys also should enable Jones and Ervin to make an impact in the passing game.

Can our TE/Hback/F/Back group make an impact? For me they have an opportunity to break out and establish today.

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Savage57's picture

September 27, 2020 at 08:32 am

Thanks for actually posting an article. I remember when there used to be a lot of different perspectives and angles posted here by a variety of writers. It made for a more rounded and robust take on things Packers.

I'd like to see more variety in the content instead of so much of Nagler's mug.

Y'all can stay the hell off my lawn, too.

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egbertsouse's picture

September 27, 2020 at 10:44 am

Yeah, I agree. I like reading articles, too.

Damn kids!

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Coldworld's picture

September 27, 2020 at 01:04 pm

Do the down votes mean some people want less Perspective and content? Sign of the times?

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stockholder's picture

September 27, 2020 at 10:37 am

Burning questions- those are good questions. Fantasy picks- Thats just Crazy. PPP- Karmara is the one to stop. Brez was walking like he was hurt last game. Hopefully his nuts keep his arm off. Failure is not a option here. The packers have the offense to win this. So put the Bourbon aside. Give me The Packers!

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Daren726's picture

September 27, 2020 at 09:07 am

I think we will see 28 in the backfield much more with Jones swung out as a receiver. I agree the tight ends will get a lot of play. Deguerra and tonyan will run wild.

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Jonathan Spader's picture

September 27, 2020 at 10:39 pm

Tonyan, Lewis, Sternberger and yes to Jones the receiver!

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jh9's picture

September 27, 2020 at 10:38 am

If the Saints play today like they played on MNF, the Packers win easily. Packers 38 Saints 27.

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Jonathan Spader's picture

September 27, 2020 at 10:38 pm

Pretty close!

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Gopack12's picture

September 27, 2020 at 09:18 am

If Davante is out, Why not play Aaron Jones in the slot and hand the RB duties to Jamal and Dillon... get your best players on the field

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Jonathan Spader's picture

September 27, 2020 at 09:38 am

Thomas was out last week amd Sanders was targeted 3 times for 0 receptions. Brees has not proven he can spread the ball around better than Rodgers. Thomas being out hurts the Saints more than Adams being out hurts the Packers. Drops are what can hurt the Packers more tham anything else. Brees looks washed up amd Rodgers looks red hot.

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jannes bjornson's picture

September 27, 2020 at 10:03 am

This game is on Pettine to control gaps and supply constant pressure. Lowry has to show something and Amos needs a wake up blast from the air horn. The defense has to make a couple big plays to turn momentum.

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Spock's picture

September 27, 2020 at 10:30 am

Agree. MLF needs to have Pettine have his "foot on the gas" as much on defense as MLF has had the offense going for 4th downs, 2 pt. conversions, etc. even with the game in hand.

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Archie's picture

September 27, 2020 at 10:04 am

This comment is right on! IMHO :)

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mnbadger's picture

September 27, 2020 at 10:35 am

Pack 34 to 27. We make one or two more plays defensively, RGary and hopefully safeties show up. JK Scott will enjoy getting back to super dome where he cemented his legacy in college. GPG

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frankthefork's picture

September 27, 2020 at 11:20 am

IMO-The 2 best NFC teams face off. The faster defensive team will win this one, and I don't know if Petine will stack and blitz Brees, but if he does and the Saints D doesn't get to AR...its the Packers 38 Saints 27. GPG.

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Demon's picture

September 27, 2020 at 12:53 pm

At some point Packers management are going to have to tell Pettine that enough is enough. The D has been handed more than enough resources to field a top unit. Tonight it's time for the D and the D coordinator to earn their paycheck. Anymore Capers like moments for Pettine and he very well may not be employed past midseason.

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Coldworld's picture

September 27, 2020 at 01:16 pm

Well I don’t see too many resources on the DL or at ILB or hybrid. I see one proven player at each level, two of whom have been injured for significant snaps.

Guess I can’t buy your analysis. The interesting question is why we don’t have enough. On balance, Scott, Martin and Barnes May actually solve 2 of the three levels in time. Keke maybe will help on the DL.

I can’t really blame Pettine for the barrenness of the roster he inherited or expect Gute to hit on all prospects. At this point though it looks like Lowry’s contract was a mistake and Adams was a bad pick ( as was Burks). Keke may prove to be a redeemer, but too early yet.

There are reasons to question Pettine, but wasting a surfeit of talent and depth is not one of them at this point. If we are lucky, things are looking more promising at ILB and hybrid. So really it’s currently Lowry, Burks and Adams being disappointments compounded by Greene and Clark’s availability. The lack of a normal season doesn’t help youth come through, but that’s what we need to happen. As do all teams in the cap era.

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Demon's picture

September 27, 2020 at 01:30 pm

Where have the vast majority of all the top picks for most of the last decade gone? To the D! which side of the ball was augmented by FA a year ago with Z, P Smith and Amos? Those guys dont play offense.

Isnt it the coaches job to develop players in a draft and develop philosophy'd team? Wheres the development?

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Coldworld's picture

September 27, 2020 at 04:21 pm

You can’t hit on all draft picks and you can’t make a purse out of a sow’s ear (so I’m told).

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Leatherhead's picture

September 27, 2020 at 05:21 pm

You see barren rosters and contract mistakes; I see a defense that was bad in 2018....25th or worse in lots of metric....improve to a top 10 defense in 2019. I see a defense that has squashed two division opponents already this year.

The GM hasn’t done anything for the DL? He’s locked up Kenny Clark in his prime years!

We’re a better than average defense. We’re even better against the pass. That means we might hold the Saints to 30-35 points, because they score pretty well at home with Brees. As long as our offense doesn’t turn it over, or can’t stay on the field, we’re in business. I don’t expect the defense to squash the Saints offense, but we’ll get some stops.

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dobber's picture

September 27, 2020 at 01:13 pm

"Allen Lazard- With Davante Adams more than likely out, Lazard will become the de facto number 1 receiver. I think Lazard could have a career day and could be a steal in daily fantasy."

I disagree...the Saints top two CBs are good, and I think either Lattimore or Jenkins will be able to play Lazard without safety help. They won't have to follow Lazard with a matchup CB, either. That said, it could be that they put Lattimore, who runs pretty well, on MVS because I don't think Jenkins can keep up with him. It's going to be important for the Packers' TEs and WR3 tonight to make some plays.

If I'm the Saints, I watched a lot of film from those four games when the Packers won without Davante last year. The Packers' personnel isn't dramatically different. Jones did get a lot of targets in those games, but even then, the Packers spread targets around to the other receivers, too--Allison, Lazard, Graham, and MVS. Jones is the player the Saints will key on tonight, but it makes it all the more important that others are able to answer when called on to help open up the offense.

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Coldworld's picture

September 27, 2020 at 01:30 pm

I see Lazard active over the middle and moving around. Playing the quasi TE role. I think Taylor and MVS work the perimeter primarily to stretch (regardless of position at snap). I see Tonyan running routes designed to pull attention too and Jones getting the ball in spaces.

I would not necessarily predict Lazard to score a lot, but I do think he will get a lot of targets if Adams is not active. If they elect to focus cover on him I see Tonyan and MVS having big opportunities. I would add Deguara but I don’t think he will play.

If Taylor is the third receiver, we will have a lot of speed out there. He is almost as fast as MVS (yes, that’s about all I know of him). Using Lazard/TEs/HBacks will surely give opportunities for deep one on one plays.

I think we match up well offensively. This approach will also likely help the runners against a pretty good run D by forcing ILBs and safeties to respect the mid range and deep field. We need to be conscious of the need to keep our D fresh. I think this approach can even against a good run D.

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Leatherhead's picture

September 27, 2020 at 05:34 pm

Well, we only targeted the WR 15 times last week and scored 42.

Jenkins and Lattimore are good cover guys, so you may as well turn them into run defenders.

Until somebody stops our RBs, especially Jones, we should just keep giving them the ball. I know that’s not tricky enough for some folks but I think we’ve got the horses to do it. We’re getting guys blocked.

I know this is Brees v Rodgers, but I’d settle for 40 boring points, especially if it keeps Brees off the field..

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Lphill's picture

September 27, 2020 at 02:24 pm

I don't think the Saints are capable of scoring 38 points , Aaron Jones was more productive than kamara last season so the saints should be more concerned with stopping him , this game will show why you need a productive inside !linebacker something the Packers don't have, the Packers can't cover tight ends , but I think the Packers pull it out ,Rodgers needs to be on his game.

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Leatherhead's picture

September 27, 2020 at 03:56 pm

At home, Brees is almost a lock for 30 points. I’ll be pleasantly surprised if we hold the Saints to 30. I’m hoping they don’t score 40.....they’re that good on offense. Just like us.

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dobber's picture

September 27, 2020 at 03:56 pm

"I don't think the Saints are capable of scoring 38 points "

I'll take "thinking that gets you beat" for 1000, Alex.

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