New Orleans Saints (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) vs. Green Bay Packers (4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS)
Week 7 NFL
Date/Time: Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 1PM EST
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
TV: Fox
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: NO -5.5/GB +5.5
Over/Under Total: 48
The New Orleans Saints come to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in week 7 action. If only the Packers had just lost routinely to the Vikings on Sunday, but the 23-10 loss ran a lot deeper than a mere week six loss. The whole Packers season is now in jeopardy with Aaron Rodgers breaking his collarbone on a tackle. They are still 4-2 and maybe they can salvage something, starting with this home game against an incoming Saints bunch that has gotten on a nice roll in recent weeks. They beat the Lions at home on Sunday, 52-38, scoring their third win in a row after looking to be in bad shape after an 0-2 start. The Saints look to make it four in a row this week in a tough building to play, but against a diminished version of the Packers.
The Packers really have their work cut out for them. Other than 2013 when he missed some games, they have become accustomed to Rodgers being behind center as a constant presence. There are some teams that can withstand an injury like that, but the Packers might not be one of them. Nothing against Brett Hundley, but without Rodgers' presence, clutch, and magic touch, this Green Bay offense is a diminished version of its prior self. All parts of the team will need to bond and become better in light of his absence.
Making it harder for the offense is other injuries besides the disastrous one to Rodgers. On Sunday, they saw both tackles go down, and a guard, with David Bakhtiari, Bryan Bulaga, and Lane Taylor injured. We'll see how they progress over the week, but for an offense trying to patch something together in Rodgers' absence, losing guys up-front doesn't help one bit. Hundley threw three picks on Sunday, but despite that, he showed he could be someone with which the Packers can work in Rodgers' absence. Running back Aaron Jones has shown some flashes, as an enhanced run-game with him and Ty Montgomery could go a long way. And for Hundley, he does have tools to employ, with receivers Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, and Randall Cobb, along with a big tight end in Martellus Bennett.
The Green Bay defense will also need to be more on-point with the loss of firepower on the other side of the ball. They've been a bit up-and-down this season, but at their best, they're a group that can be halfway-stout, with the ability to change games with their playmaking ability. CB Damarious Randall had a pick on Sunday and has been making a difference. They are solid in the middle with Blake Martinez and Jake Ryan, who have been very active in some games this season. With Randall, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, and others, the secondary can be a big asset. The front-line needs to be more robust, both in terms of run-stopping ability and the pass-rush department.
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It was quite a game for the Saints on Sunday in their win over the visiting Lions. Midway through the 3rd quarter, the Lions took a commanding 45-10 lead. By the mid-4th quarter, it was 45-38 with the Lions having the ball looking for a tie. A few big plays late sealed the win for the Saints. Either way, for them to be above .500 heading into week 7 the way the season began is a victory in itself. The Saints offense was very good, while the defense scored three times. Can the Saints continue their drastic turnaround this Sunday on the road?
If Drew Brees' stats on Sunday were your only point-of-reference, you'd think the Saints offense didn't have a great day. He threw for just 186 yards with two touchdowns and two picks. The offense got a big boost from the run-game, with both Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara putting together big games. Ingram had 114 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while catching five balls. Kamara had 75 yards rushing with 4 catches. Ted Ginn, Jr. led all receivers in yards. Obscure tight end Michael Hoomanawanui caught a TD pass. This is a versatile offense and with the developing 1-2 punch at running back with Ingram and Kamara, along with all their weapons in the aerial game, they can get you any number of ways. It says a lot when they put up this many points and don't even really use key guys like Michael Thomas, Willie Snead, and Coby Fleener.
The New Orleans defense is a big part of the newfound Saints' winning formula. After getting dominated in weeks one and two, they allowed a mere 13 combined points in their wins over Carolina and Miami. For parts of three quarters, they were doing well against Detroit, holding them to ten points. Cameron Jordan had two sacks and a pick-six, while Alex Okafor, Vonn Bell, and Craig Robertson also had sacks. Exciting rookie corner Marshon Lattimore had a pick-six. Safety Kenny Vaccaro had a pick, as well. And with Detroit in the midst of a huge surge, A'Shawn Robinson was able to take a Stafford pass and walk it into the end zone to seal it. By the same token, when your team builds a 45-10 third-quarter lead, the game should be devoid of drama.
The Saints and Packers are on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of team-morale. The Packers might have the better record at 4-2, with the Saints being at 3-2, but the Saints are crescendoing after a 3-game win streak that helped them turn things around. The Packers are coming off a loss, lost their star QB, and saw a bunch of other guys get injured. Granted, it's hard to recall an abundance of Saints highlights taking place at Lambeau Field, but I think it better to get in on the ground-floor of the Rodgers-less Packers action. I'm taking New Orleans.
Loot's Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I'm betting on the New Orleans Saints minus 5.5 points. Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today by signing up and betting the New Orleans vs. Green Bay game at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you'll receive a generous 50% sign-up bonus!
