NFL Kick-Off: Packers vs Saints

The Line: Packers -4 vs. Saints

Over/Under: 47

The NFL kicks off Thursday night when the Saints visit Lambeau Field to face-off against the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, a 4 point favorite. The Packers have a legitimate shot at repeating as NFL champions, a tough accomplishment in this era of Free Agency. Green Bay comes into the 2011 season with much of its Super Bowl Champion team in place, adding Ryan Grant at Running Back and Finley at Tight End back into the fold after season-ending injuries early last season, giving Aaron Rodgers even more weapons. The Packers secondary is one of the best in the NFL and will be required to play a lot of Nickel to shut down the pass-happy Saints.

It is a match-up of 2 of the Top 5 QB's in the NFL, and one of the better opening night games in years.

Drew Brees comes to town with one of the best Offensive Lines in football, and added Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz to the mix, which should give him time to find open receivers. One of his top targets will be up and coming Tight End Jimmy Graham who is looking likely to have a breakout season, pure athleticism at the position, and a tough match-up for any linebacker or safety. The Saints lack that star WR with Colston the closest thing, but oft-injured, but Brees tends to spread it around to his speedsters Meachem and Henderson and Lance Moore a great slot receiver. The Saints also come into the season with a featured running back with rookie Mark Ingram, looking to be the early favorite for rookie of the year if he gets his share of touches, adding a new dimension to the Saints to keep defenses honest. Defensively is where I see issues with the Saints, the secondary comprised of a bunch of journeymen veterans, Outside Linebackers with susceptible tackling, and a Defensive Front lacking a presence to keep the double teams off of Will Smith.

As the case with many games, this one is sure to come down to the turnover battle, especially with the Saints needing to take care of the ball. However, I think the match-up favors the Packers with the home-field advantage (Saints luck-out not having to play in Green Bay during November or December), and the Packers defense is much better than the Saints, and that should be the disparity that allows the packers to win this one.

The Pick: Packers -4; Over 47

Final Score Prediction: Packers 34 Saints 27