Packers vs. Saints and 7 Matchups That Looked Sexier a Month Ago

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With the NFL displaying so much parity in the early weeks of the season (the Arizona Cardinals are 3-0 while the New Orleans Saints are 0-3), some matchups don't look as appealing today as they did a month ago.

The Saints and the Green Bay Packers, for example, square off in a matchup of teams with 0-3 and 1-2 records, respectively, this weekend. It just isn't as enticing as it once was.

Read on for more on that and other contests which will make fans feel the same way.

Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints

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These two teams have taken a tumble in the power rankings since the beginning of the season, with the Saints missing suspended head coach Sean Payton and the Packers without former offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.

Right now, the 1-2 Packers and 0-3 Saints are below-average teams that need to start clicking offensively before they can win games at the impressive clips they usually do.

Look for this game to be a big disappointment, considering how good the two teams could be.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers

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While it once looked like a very solid Week 4 contest, this matchup between the surging 3-0 Atlanta Falcons and the lowly 1-2 Carolina Panthers no longer looks particularly enticing.

After being outclassed by the New York Giants, Cam Newton and his team aren't sitting all that pretty in the NFC playoff picture.

The Falcons have been red-hot and look to keep their success rolling this week.

San Diego Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints

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The Sunday-night matchup in Week 5, between two teams that were once offensive powerhouses, doesn't look like such a great game anymore.

The San Diego Chargers are trying to get things figured out and the team's defense isn't as airtight as it once was.

Look for this game to be a high-scoring affair of poorly played football as both offenses try to get on track.

Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots

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This Week 5 matchup really epitomizes my point, with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning headlining what was supposed to be a highly anticipated contest.

Both teams are currently 1-2, and I can't imagine either team will have things figured out by this game.

Manning has looked worse than Brady, but both quarterbacks need to pick things up for this to be a good game.

Detroit Lions vs. Philadelphia Eagles

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The Detroit Lions have been little more than an average team after starting last season with a stellar record. With Matthew Stafford now hurt, this squad lacks firepower under center and could be in store for a 6-10 year.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles can't control the ball and Michael Vick looks like a below-average quarterback.

Despite a 2-1 record, the Eagles are just as boring as the Lions at this point.

Washington Redskins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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Robert Griffin III has been very good in three starts, but he doesn't have the killer instinct at the end of games to be a great NFL quarterback yet.

Looking at this Week 8 game a month ago, many thought the Redskins would be a surprising playoff contender after a solid first few weeks behind Griffin.

However, while the quarterback has posted great numbers, he has work to do before he starts winning games on a regular basis.

Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints

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Not unlike the Falcons vs. Panthers matchup, this game looked to be a clash between two division rivals vying for the NFC South.

However, with the Falcons at 3-0 and the Saints at 0-3, it's unlikely there will be much of a turnaround—for better or for worse—by the time of this game.

It's unfortunate, as this was one of the best developing rivalries in the league.

 

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