Green Bay at New Orleans (11/24/2008)

Quote Originally Posted by kmaster:

I think the play on this game is the Saints!  The Packers have had heartbreaking losses to the Vikings and Titans in the past weeks and beat a mediocre Bears team last week.  I would consider both teams quite evenly matched, hence the 5-5 records both teams own.  I think the Dome will be rocking tonight with the Saints more desparate for the win.  I really like the Saints in this one at -1. 

 

                  GL ALL

Your opinion is your opinion and I'm not trying to talk you out of it but don't tell me both teams are evenly matched because they both hold 5-5 records. The Saints wins have come against Kansas City, San Diego, Oakland, San Francisco, and Tampa (which was week one). The only team on that list with a winning record is Tampa. Green Bay has beaten some pretty good teams (Indy and Minnesota) and that mediocre Bears team 37-3. The Saints may be more desperate for the win, but as I said earlier, even if they do win they're still two games back in the division. Green Bay on the other hand will be tied for first in their division and still have a legit shot at getting a first round bye (right now the Cardinals are the NFC #2 with a one game lead). You're also forgetting that Aaron Rodgers was nursing a partially seperated shoulder in the Titans and Vikings game and still almost found a way to win. He is now healthy and off the injury report and Ryan Grant is running like he did at the end of last year. Green Bay is 15th in the league in both offense and defense. New Orleans is 23rd in Defense and 1st in offense but if you look you'll see that Green Bay puts up more points per game (27.4-26.6) and actually has the 3rd best pass defense in the league letting up an average of 176.3 yards per game. No Reggie = no running game for the Saints which also means Drew Brees will be throwing a lot into a very good Green Bay secondary. I think this is a very bad matchup for the Saints. They're strength on offense (passing) is the Packers strength on defense and the Saints don't do anything good on defense (they only outgained the Chiefs by 10 yards). The Saints also have some injuries going on while the Packers appear to be getting healthier.

Packers and Over

Green Bay on the other hand will be tied for first in their division and still have a legit shot at getting a first round bye (right now the Cardinals are the NFC #2 with a one game lead).

No offence Stalker but the Packers have a 0% chance of getting a 1st round bye.  They would have to win out the season and hope the Bucs, Panthers, Flacons and Cardinals all lose out basically.  The NFC South isn't locked in yet but I think thats a bit of a pipedream to say the Packers could have a 1st round bye.  The Cardinals aren't 2nd in the NFC either....TB is as they won yesterday and Arizona lost.