The Green Bay Packers will have an opportunity to clinch a spot in the NFC playoffs when they host the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football” at Lambeau Field in Week 16.
The Saints started 2-0 but have lost nine of the last 12 games to limp to a 5-9 record. Dennis Allen was fired after a 2-7 start, and Darren Rizzi has led the Saints to a 3-2 record over the last five.
Injuries have decimated the Saints, especially on offense. Derek Carr isn’t expected to play, and several other important players are out or injured.
Here’s a closer look at the Saints entering Week 16:
Last week (Loss, 20-19 to Commanders)
The Saints fell behind 14-0 in the first half, 17-0 early in the second half and 20-7 early in the fourth quarter, but New Orleans rallied late — scoring three straight times to set up a game-deciding two-point conversion attempt. It failed, and the Saints’ comeback attempt ended one point short. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler hit Foster Moreau for a touchdown with no time remaining before the failed two-point try. Moreau caught four passes, Alvin Kamara caught a touchdown pass and former Packer Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught a 39-yard pass and a 25-yard pass. The Saints defense delivered eight sacks of rookie Jayden Daniels, including two each from Cameron Jordan and Chase Young. New Orleans is battling injury offensively, but the defense is still an effective group.
Quarterback play
The guess here is that rookie Spencer Rattler will get the start at quarterback. Derek Carr is battling a left hand injury and isn’t expected to play, and backup Jake Haener was pulled in favor of Rattler against the Commanders. A fifth-round pick, Rattler completed 10 of 21 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown last week. Over four appearances, Rattler has completed 57.5 percent of passes, thrown two touchdown passes and two interceptions and averaged 5.9 yards per attempt — good for a passer rating of 73.1. The Saints lost all three of Rattler’s starts previously this season. He’s small (6-0, 211) but an effective scrambler. He’s also been sacked 14 times in limited action, while producing eight turnover-worthy plays.
Line of scrimmage
The Saints have struggled up front on offense. At Pro Football Focus, the Saints rank 30th in pass-block grade but also 11th in run-block grade. New Orleans is averaging 4.4 yards per rushing attempt. The offensive line is big and full of top picks — including first-rounders Trevor Penning and Taliese Fuaga at the tackles and Cesar Ruiz at right guard. Former Packer Lucas Patrick handles left guard. Penning and Fuaga have both allowed more than 30 pressures while combining for 20 penalties this season. Erik McCoy is an elite run blocker at center. Defensively, the Saints rank 30th in yards per carry allowed at 4.9 and 31st in run defense grade at PFF. The pass rush is a potential strength. Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Bryan Bresee and Cameron Jordan all have over 25 pressures. Running the football will be important to set the tone up front for the Packers.
Turnovers
The Saints are plus-1 in the turnover department this season — 15 giveaways against 16 takeaways. New Orleans is just 1-3 when turning the ball over two or more times but also 1-3 when not turning the ball over at all. Four of the Saints’ five wins have come when getting at least one turnover. Spencer Rattler has thrown two picks but is certainly turnover-prone as a young, inexperienced quarterback. Veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu has three interceptions and two forced fumbles, so he’s still doing Honey Badger things. The Saints have nine players who have forced a fumble.
Injury situation
Starting quarterback Derek Carr (hand) isn’t expected to play. Receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are both on injured reserve. So is do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill and cornerback Paulson Adebo. The injury to watch this week is running back Alvin Kamara’s groin injury. He could be a long shot to play Monday night. Also, cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling exited the Saints’ loss to the Commanders with injuries.
Players to know
Edge rusher Carl Granderson: He quietly has back-to-back seasons with 50 or more pressures. Granderson had five pressures and a sack last week.
LB Demario Davis: The veteran linebacker is still capable of excellent performances, especially against the run. He produced another 100-tackle season in 2024.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling: The former Packer has a catch of at least 20 yards in five straight games, including catches of 67 yards and 71 yards. He’s averaging 25.1 yards per catch with the Saints. But he’s also dropped three passes on 23 targets.
TE Foster Moreau: He’s averaging 9.7 yards per target with four touchdown catches this season. The veteran tight end has become a bigger part of the offense since Taysom Hill went down.
CB Alontae Taylor: No cornerback in football has missed more tackles (18) or allowed more catches (68) this season, but he’s also defensed 13 passes, a team high.
