The New Orleans Saints can go 3-0 for the first time since 2013 if they beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
The Saints (2-0) just held off the Carolina Panthers (20-17), while the Packers need to put Week 2’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons (25-24) behind them, in which they allowed 13 unanswered fourth-quarter points.
Let’s take a look at predictions and best bets for the Week 3 meeting.
Saints vs Packers Odds
NFL odds used for this New Orleans vs Green Bay preview were found at DraftKings Sportsbook unless otherwise noted and are current as of Wednesday, September 20th, at 7 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Packers (-130) • Saints (+110)
- Spread: Packers -2 (-110) • Saints +2 (-110)
- Total Points: Over 42.5 (-110) • Under 42.5 (-110)
- Implied Score: Packers 22.25, Saints 20.25
Saints vs Packers Predictions
Score Pick: Packers 21, Saints 20
Jordan Love has exceeded expectations to start his career as the Packers’ starting quarterback. After just two games, Love has already thrown for a combined 396 yards and six touchdowns without turning the ball over.
However, Love and the rest of Green Bay’s offense could struggle to repeat their recent success against a stout New Orleans defense. While I am giving LaFleur’s team a slight edge, the modest projected total is no surprise based on what we’ve seen from both teams over the first two weeks.
It is worth noting that Love and the Green Bay offense could get some reinforcements. Third-year receiver Christian Watson is thought to have a good chance of making his season debut in Week 3 after missing the first two games with a hamstring injury, while Aaron Jones could return after missing Week 2 with his own hamstring issue.
The Saints, despite their 2-0 start, have not been able to generate a lot of points thus far. Quarterback Derek Carr and the offense will also be without offseason acquisition Jamaal Williams for the foreseeable future after the 28-year-old running back tweaked his hamstring during Monday night’s victory.
Neither one of these teams has looked dominant over the first two weeks. This contest should remain close throughout, with the Packers leveraging home-field advantage to squeak out a close win.
Saints vs Packers Best Bets & Props
Under 42.5 (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 2 units
In New Orleans’ first two games, the team has struggled to put up points, but it’s allowed even less. The 32 points the Saints have surrendered rank as the fifth fewest through two weeks. Unsurprisingly, New Orleans currently ranks within the top 10 in most defensive categories.
However, Green Bay’s defense certainly has its fair share of talent and ranks just inside the top half of the league with 22.5 points per game surrendered. The Pack have also collected five sacks and two interceptions in the first two games.
This game projects as a slugfest between two above-average defenses that have dominated over the first two weeks of the season. With both offenses still finding their footing, Under 42.5 points is my NFL bet of the day.
Packers Alternate Spread +1 (-140)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 2 units
Using DraftKings Sportsbook’s slider to alter the spread still allows for relatively decent odds with Green Bay as one-point underdogs.
If not for last week’s fourth-quarter meltdown, Green Bay would likely be favored by even more heading into this week. The offense has scored in six of eight quarters to start the season, and with Watson and potentially Jones returning, the unit should continue trending in the right direction.
The Saints defense will definitely keep New Orleans in the game. However, it is hard to imagine Green Bay losing this one at home, barring an out-of-the-ordinary performance from the Saints offense.
Packers Under 21.5 (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
The Packers’ late-game execution during last week’s loss was worrisome, to say the least. Love and the offense failed to convert a first down in each of the last three possessions, with the third-year pro completing just one of his six pass attempts in that span.
Even with Green Bay presumably healthier on offense this week, the Saints defense, spearheaded by All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis, will have plenty of opportunities to disrupt the young quarterback and make life difficult at times for the Packers offense.
Saints vs Packers Same-Game Parlay
Saint vs Packers SGP (+400)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
- Under 42.5 (-105)
- Packers (-130)
- Packers 1H 3 Way (+110)
Taking the Under along with the Packers’ moneyline offers some nice odds. Adding Green Bay as the outright winner for the first half makes it all the more appealing.
Based on the two-game sample size, the Saints have started games extremely slowly, scoring just six points in each of the first two halves of games this season. On the other hand, the Packers have scored 10 points in the first halves of both of their matchups.
Purely based on what we’ve seen, taking the Packers in the first half makes the most sense and boosts the parlay to +400 odds.
