Saints vs Packers Odds: Is Carr The Answer For Saints at Quarterback?

It’s not Drew Brees vs Aaron Rodgers. But we’ve got an exciting NFC matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

The Saints have started the season 2-0 with multiple close wins over the Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers.

Meanwhile, the Packers began the season with a convincing win over the Bears but fell short against the Atlanta Falcons after a fourth-quarter collapse.

Can the Packers hold things together on Sunday and get back over .500?

Check out the Saints vs Packers odds for an enticing NFC matchup.

New Orleans Has Dilemma at Running Back

The Saints must wait one more week for Alvin Kamara to return from his four-game suspension after a 2022 battery arrest in Las Vegas. Kamara pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of breach of peace.

He was also ordered to complete 30 hours of community service and pay the victim over $1,00,000 for past-due medical expenses.

Meanwhile, the Saints’ new acquisition, Jamaal Williams, is questionable for Week 3 with a hamstring injury he sustained in the Week 2 win against the Panthers.

Finally, the third-string running back, Kendre Miller, was inactive in the first two games due to a hamstring injury.

Therefore, the Saints will be left with Tony Jones Jr. and Taysom Hill heading into Week 3 if Williams and Miller can’t go.

Hill is flexible and can ultimately play any position. He added nine carries for 75 yards, mainly as the quarterback in a wildcat formation. Meanwhile, Jones Jr. added 12 carries for 34 yards and two touchdowns.

The Saints likely won’t sign another running back for Week 3. They’ll hope Williams and Miller can return to the lineup. If not, we’ll probably get a high dosage of Taysom Hill until Alvin Kamara and the other players return.

Are Aaron Jones and Christian Watson Healthy?

The Green Bay Packers lost a close one to the Falcons over the weekend. But this team was without Aaron Jones at running back and Christian Watson at wide receiver.

Watson is arguably the No. 1 receiver for the Packers. Meanwhile, Jones is undoubtedly the No. 1 running back for the Packers.

Jones added nine carries for 41 yards against the Bears, including one touchdown. He also had two catches on four targets for 86 yards and scored another touchdown for the Packers in Week 1. He’s questionable for Week 3 against the Saints.

Meanwhile, Christian Watson hasn’t played a snap for the Packers yet. They’ve been cautious with him. The former second-round pick added 611 receiving yards in his rookie season per his NFL player stats from last season. He also came down with seven touchdowns in just 14 games.

He doesn’t have Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball anymore. But Jordan Love has proven that he can also be great for the Packers.

If the Packers can get back those two stars, Green Bay will be in better shape offensively moving forward.

The Packers allowed the Falcons to finish Week 2 with a 13-0 fourth quarter. Green Bay had a double-digit lead and lost it.

The offense likely wouldn’t have that same issue with Jones and Watson. The offense should eventually put up above-average NFL team stats as an offense.

Below, we’ll give a rundown on the Saints vs Packers odds for Sunday’s exciting matchup.

Saints vs Packers Odds

On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers are two-point favorites against the New Orleans Saints. The Packers are home, but the Saints are 2-0. New Orleans’ hot start hasn’t phased oddsmakers at all.

The Saints have won their first two games by a margin of four points. New Orleans could be this year’s Minnesota Vikings, where they win all of the one-score close games.

However, although the Saints have won both games to start the season, they didn’t cover either. The Saints are -3 against the Titans and won 16-15 in Week 1. Last weekend, the Saints were -3 and won by three, forcing a push.

What stands out the most is that the Saints have gone Under the total in nine of their last ten games. That includes both games to begin this season.

On the other hand, the Packers have won against the spread in both matchups to begin their season. Green Bay has been a slight underdog in both games. Against the Bears, they were +3 and won 38-20. Green Bay was also a three-point underdog against the Falcons most recently and lost by one point.

However, they’ve gone Over the total in both games to begin the year. Those totals have been just above 40 in both games.

It’ll take Jordan Love some time to figure out the offense. He could also use some more help. Love has thrown six touchdowns and no interceptions, but he’s still only completed 29 of 52 passes. Love has much to improve, but limiting interceptions is not one of them.

The leading receiver on the team is Aaron Jones, who didn’t even play last week. Love is also waiting for Christian Watson to return to the field. When those two return, the offense can be better. They’ve only put up 286 yards per game, with 88 yards on the ground. That’s typically not good enough.

Meanwhile, the Saints have dominated in the passing game. They’ve allowed only 175.5 yards per game in the air through the first two games. That’s due to the effective pass rush and awesome secondary that New Orleans has. They can be better against the run. But overall, New Orleans has been solid defensively this year, giving up only 32 points in two games.

On the other hand, Derek Carr and the Saints haven’t done tremendous things offensively, either. Carr has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns through the season’s first two weeks. Yet, the Saints are 2-0.

New Orleans has a lot of questions about the running back situation. It’s unclear who will start at running back for this game. Right now, Taysom Hill has led the way in rushing yards, which is uncalled for when you’ve got a roster with Jamaal Williams, Keandre Miller, and Alvin Kamara. Unfortunately, Kamara was suspended, and Miller hasn’t been healthy to start the season. So, this offense will also improve over time.

Carr has enjoyed throwing to Chris Olave, who has added nearly 200 yards on 14 catches. However, the offense has still only scored 36 points in two games. That’s not good enough, especially after signing Derek Carr to a big off-season deal worth $37.5 million annually through 2026.

After all, the Saints are in first place in the NFL standings. So, we can’t be too harsh on Carr and the Saints yet.

Take The Under!

There are so many questions that haven’t been answered yet.

We might have a game where Tony Jones Jr. takes ten carries for the Saints, and A.J. Dillon adds 15 carries for the Packers.

Jamaal Williams could be out, along with Kendre Miller, for the Saints. Meanwhile, the Packers might still be without Aaron Jones and Christian Watson.

Even if these guys do play, the defenses have looked better than the offenses to begin the NFL season.

The Packers have allowed nearly 400 yards per game on defense. However, the secondary and pass rush are effective enough to create havoc and force punts. It’s just the run defense that’s lacking for the Packers. But the Saints could be onto their fourth running back.

On the other hand, the Saints are just as good in coverage and have an even better pass rush than the Packers. New Orleans has allowed only 277.5 yards per game. That will win the Saints many games if they can sustain those numbers.

Take the Under 43 in this one.

For NFL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• Dolphins vs Patriots betting odds: Tua & Tyreek Make Dolphins Road Favorites
• Browns vs Steelers Preview: Cleveland Looking to Buck Trend in Rivalry
• NFL: New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals Betting Odds
• Rodgers’ Season-Ending Injury Shakes Up Jets vs Cowboys Odds
• Commanders vs Broncos Betting Preview: New Season, Old Broncos