The last time the Packers played the Saints was the 2021 season opener. The Packer got crushed in New Orleans 38-3, as Aaron Rodgers threw 2 interceptions while Jameis Winston tossed 5 touchdowns.

Both teams have new quarterbacks this year, but both teams are also missing key players for today's matchup, putting the outcome very much up for grabs.

WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL

Jordan Love has been brought along slowly in the first couple games of his inaugural season as the starter.

This makes a lot of sense. The Packers have spent years developing him and there's no reason to burn him out as soon as he takes the mantle. He's thrown 27 and 25 passes in his two starts. That's a pretty modest volume, but he's been extremely efficient with his opportunities.

Despite some inaccurate passes, he has flashed high-end starter ability and currently leads the NFL in touchdown passes and passer rating. Still, the Packers have been patient, sticking with a run-heavy approach, even with Aaron Jones out and AJ Dillon failing.

The Packers could open up the passing a game a little more this week.

Eltgon Jenkins is out for today's game, while David Bakhtiari and Aaron Jones are both Questionable, so the run game is sure to suffer. The Saints have a good run defense, and held Derrick Henry to 63 yards in Week 1 and Miles Sanders to 43 yards in Week 2

The Packers will need to lean on the pass more than in previous weeks. If Christian Watson is able to return, he should give Love a field-stretching weapon that he hasn't had so far. Couple that with a home crowd making it easier to call line checks and audibles, and Love should be primed to continue his productive season.

But it won't be easy - the Saints defense has some impressive stats.

They're only giving up 16 points per game this year and haven't allowed an opponent to score more than 20 points since November 7th of last year. Defensive ends Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson each have 11 pressures this year, making them the top duo in the NFL in that category. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore has only allowed a quarterback rating of 9.4 this year.

All of that sounds impressive, but the Saints have faced the Titans and the Panthers. Those aren't exactly stellar offenses. For reference, the Panthers scored 10 against Atlanta, but put up 17 against the Saints.

The Saints have been really good against the run and, despite having a pair of ends that generate pressures, they have the worst pass rush win rate in the NFL after two weeks.

Plus, New Orleans will be without safety Marcus Maye, who was suspended earlier this week. He'll be replaced by rookie Jordan Howden. The Saints coaches have spoken highly of Howden, but he's a Day 3 rookie, who was a backup for a reason. Matt LaFleur will need to find ways to exploit this, and Luke Musgrave and Jayden Reed can play big roles in that regard.

It's tough to gauge teams after only two weeks, but with a banged up offensive line, and facing a team that is missing a key starter in the secondary, the Packers offense may match up well with quick routes and screen passes.

WHEN THE PACKERS ARE ON DEFENSE

The Saints defense may be tough to figure out, but the offense looks more sure to underwhelm.

They're strong at receiver where Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed form a trio of productive receivers. 

The Saints are top 8 in passing yardage, but only have one passing touchdown. They are productive based on talent, but new quarterback Derek Carr hasn't looked dialed in in his first year as the Saints quarterback. When pressured, he's actually looked pretty bad and the Saints passing game has suffered from poor pass blocking.

Derek Carr has been sacked 8 times in 2 games (7th worst in the league). Rashan Gary, who saw his snap count jump from 12 to 22 in Week 2, will probably be in line for more even more reps playing on Green Bay's surface next to Preston Smith, who has been his consistent self. Lukas Van Ness is listed as Questionable, but even if he doesn't play, Kingsley Enagbare, Karl Brooks, and Colby Wooden have taken rotational reps to keep the unit fresh. Today, that rotation should help keep the pressure on Carr and keep the Saints passing game in check.

In order for the pass rush to hit home, though, the defense needs to cover.

Jaire Alexander was a late add to the injury report on Friday with a back injury. He is the best candidate to cover Chris Olave. If he can't handle that, the Packers could be in trouble. Rasul Douglas is a good matchup on Michael Thomas, where Douglas's quick instincts can neutralize Thomas's underneath work. Slot receiver Rashid Shaheed will be a tough cover for whoever draws him. Given the injury situation, we may see Darnell Savage playing up in the slot, or a lot more nickel and dime coverage than we're used to seeing.

 Extra defensive backs may be the base defense for today's game anyways, since the Saints running game has been poor to start the season.

Top running back Alvin Kamara is suspended, and his back up, Jamaal Williams, is only averaging 2.7 yards per carry. Williams may not even play due to a hamstring issue. Third running back Tony Jones is barely averaging 3.0 yards per carry. In fact, the New Orleans running game has been so bad that gadget quarterback Taysom Hill has been their leading rusher, gaining 79 of the team's 203 rushing yards.

The Packers will need to be on guard for trick plays with Hill - unfortunately, this is not the strength of the Green Bay defense. Their line has been more active this year, which has disrupted opposing runners, but was not enough to slow Atlanta down. New Orleans should be an easier assignment.

If they can pressure Carr and contain Hill's trick plays, the Packers should be in good shape.

OTHER NOTES

Anders Carlson still hasn't missed a kick this season.

Keisean Nixon hasn't been the force he was last year on kick returns - he is averaging 27.5 yards on kick returns, but has been bringing the ball out from deep in the end zone, providing little, if any, advantage for the offense.

The Saints have Jimmy Graham, again... though I can't explain why.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Packers have looked promising their first two weeks. They put out a statement in Week 1 and looked ready to do the same in Week 2 before faltering down the stretch.

Jaire Alexander and others on the team admitted they thought they had the game in the bag. This may have led to them letting up.

The promising side of this is that afterwards, the players immediately looked at film and began healthy discussion about how to improve. This is the kind of behavior that helps young teams grow and get better.

I think the knowledge that they let one get away and the feeling that they can do better will fuel them this week. Multiplied with the emotions of a home opener and cheering support for Jordan Love as he makes his first ever start at Lambeau Field will give the team an emotional boost against a team with a floundering run game and an inconsistent passing attack.

The Packers have had double digit 4th quarter leads in both games this year. I think they get one again this week and keep it.

Packers 23, Saints 13