Packers Wire Staff Predictions: Week 16 Showdown Against the Saints

This week, the Green Bay Packers gear up for a critical matchup against the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football” at Lambeau Field. With playoffs on the line, a win here will secure a spot for the Packers in a highly competitive NFC playoff race, despite not receiving any favorable results from the previous Sunday’s games.

The Saints' Challenges

Facing the Packers will not be an easy task for the Saints, who currently sit at a disappointing 5-9 and have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. They will also be missing several key players: quarterback Derek Carr, star running back Alvin Kamara, standout receiver Chris Olave, versatile tight end Taysom Hill, and cornerbacks Rashid Shaheed and Paulson Adebo. With such a depleted roster, the Saints find themselves at a significant disadvantage, relying on rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler to lead a makeshift offense.

Staff Predictions

**Zach Kruse:** *Packers 24, Saints 10* Kruse acknowledges that the Saints should not be entirely underestimated, especially given their earlier performances this season. Despite winning three out of their first four under Darren Rizzi, the absence of multiple key players means the Packers’ defense, ranked among the best, may have its way against the rookie-led offense. Expect a dominant run game from Green Bay, as this should be a mostly comfortable win for Matt LaFleur’s squad.

**Brandon Carwile:** *Packers 31, Saints 13* Carwile emphasizes that while the Packers undoubtedly should come away with the victory, he predicts they’ll dominate throughout the game. The Saints’ poor offensive outlook and struggling defense — currently ranked 27th against the run — spell trouble against the Packers’ fourth-ranked rushing offense. He anticipates a strong performance from Green Bay's running back Josh Jacobs, who could help propel the team to a convincing win.

**Brennen Rupp:** *Packers 27, Saints 10* Rupp is confident the Packers will secure the win but hasn’t provided extensive commentary yet.

What’s at Stake?

For Green Bay, this game is a must-win in order to maintain their hopes not just for the playoffs, but potentially for a favorable seed as they look beyond the regular season. The fan base is buzzing with excitement, and expectations are high for a performance that puts the Packers back on the path to postseason glory.

Don't Miss the Action!

Tune in this Monday night to see if the Packers can solidify their playoff position against an unusually vulnerable Saints team. Can they rise to the occasion and deliver the performance fans are hoping for? Don’t miss it!