As the NFL season heats up, fans and bettors alike are gearing up for an exciting matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers. The game is set to take place at the iconic Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI, on Monday, December 23, 2024, at 8:15 pm ET. The stakes are high, and the anticipation is palpable. Let’s dive into the details and see what this clash has in store.
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
The sportsbooks have spoken, and the odds are in favor of the Packers. According to DraftKings, Bet365, and BetMGM, the point spread is set at Saints +14 and Packers -14, with an Over/Under of 42.5 points. These numbers reflect the current form and expectations for both teams, with the Packers being the clear favorites.
Season Record
The New Orleans Saints are struggling this season with a 5-9 record, placing them third in the NFC South. On the other hand, the Green Bay Packers boast a strong 10-4 record, also sitting third in the NFC North. The Packers are eyeing a playoff spot, while the Saints are playing for pride at this point.
Recent Form
In their recent outings, the Saints suffered a narrow 20-19 defeat at home against the Washington Commanders. Meanwhile, the Packers secured an impressive 30-13 victory on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. These results highlight the contrasting fortunes of both teams as they head into this crucial matchup.
New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers Preview and Analysis
The Saints, with a 5-9 record, have had a challenging season. Their road record stands at 2-4, and they face another away game against a formidable opponent. In their last game, Jake Haener started as QB, completing 4/10 passes for 49 yards before Spencer Rattler took over, completing 10/21 for 135 yards and a touchdown. Kendre Miller led the rushing with 46 yards, while Marquez Valdes-Scantling topped receiving with 64 yards. Defensively, Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan were notable performers.
Conversely, the Packers are enjoying a solid season with a 10-4 record. They are 5-2 at home and will look to capitalize on their home advantage. Jordan Love, their starting QB, impressed with 20/27 completions for 229 yards and two touchdowns against the Seahawks. Josh Jacobs led in rushing with 94 yards and a touchdown, while Christian Watson was the top receiver with 56 yards. Kingsley Enagbare was a defensive standout with two sacks.
Saints vs Packers Prediction
The Packers are heavy favorites, with a 14-point advantage according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Their strong season performance suggests they are likely to cover the spread. The Saints, missing key players like Derek Carr, will rely on Spencer Rattler, who showed promise last week. However, the Packers’ balanced offense and solid defense are expected to overpower the Saints at Lambeau. Our prediction? Packers 34, Saints 17.
NFL Betting Trends
For the Saints, betting trends show a 19-28 ATS in all games and a 9-4 UNDER as a road underdog. They struggle against good rushing teams, with a 7-2 UNDER record. The Packers, however, are 9-3 ATS off a road win and 15-7 ATS after an away game. They are also 6-3 UNDER after a win by 14 or more points.
Key Injuries
Injuries could play a pivotal role in this matchup. The Saints are without Alvin Kamara (groin), Derek Carr (hand), and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest), among others. The Packers have their own concerns, with Jaire Alexander (knee) and Quay Walker (ankle) on the injury list.
Notable Quotes
Darren Rizzi, the Saints’ interim coach, expressed mixed emotions after their recent loss, stating, “Just a mixture of emotions because we walk off the field with a loss, but I don’t know if I’ve ever been more proud of the team.” Meanwhile, Packers coach Matt LaFleur highlighted the impact of their fans, saying, “This is a tough place to play, it’s extremely loud, and I was shocked when our defense was on the field and I could hear our Packer fans. I definitely think that made a difference for us.”
Starting Lineups
For the Saints, the starting lineup includes WR Austin Jr., WR Valdes-Scantling, WR Wilson Jr., TE Moreau, QB Rattler, RB Miller, and FB Prentice. The Packers will field WR Doubs, WR Watson, WR Reed, TE Kraft, QB Love, and RB Jacobs.
Statistical Leaders
On the Saints’ side, Derek Carr leads in passing with 2,145 yards, Alvin Kamara in rushing with 950 yards, and receiving with 543 yards. For the Packers, Jordan Love has 2,953 passing yards, Josh Jacobs leads with 1,147 rushing yards, and Jayden Reed tops receiving with 727 yards.
As the countdown to kickoff continues, fans and bettors are eagerly awaiting this clash. Will the Packers solidify their playoff hopes, or can the Saints pull off an upset? Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying encounter.
