Packers vs. Saints: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The New Orleans Saints have not lived up to expectations thus far in 2014, posting just a 2-4 record. However, the Saints have a chance to gain some ground on the Carolina Panthers for the top spot in the NFC South with a win against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

At first, it looked like the Packers would struggle this season as well, losing two of their first three games to the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions. Now, the Packers are back on track, winning four straight games with Aaron Rodgers emerging as a legitimate MVP candidate.

For both teams, this is an opportunity to try and stay near the top of their respective division races, but for the common fan watching Sunday Night Football, this will be a chance to watch two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

Shootout In the Making

Two top-10 scoring offenses will be going head-to-head on Sunday night, so no one would be surprised if the Packers and Saints both put up big numbers. So far this year, the two teams are combining for 54.2 points and 762.4 total yards per game.

A big reason for this production has been the two quarterbacks. Rodgers has been especially dominant since telling fans to "relax", throwing 13 touchdowns and zero interceptions in the past four games, according to Bleacher Report's Ian Kenyon.

Brees has been productive as well this year, but turnovers have been a problem for him, throwing seven interceptions in his first six games. At 35 years old, Brees has gone head-to-head against some truly great quarterbacks in his career, but he wasn't shy about praising Rodgers before Sunday's game.

Year	Score
2008	Saints 51, Packers 29
2011	Packers 42, Saints 34
2012	Packers 28, Saints 27

"The year that he's having has been, you just kind of shake your head," Brees said Wednesday, according to ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky. "He’s so impressive. Anytime there's a guy like that on the other side of the ball, you know you have to be at your best and it seems like all the little things in a game like this, all the little details are magnified."

The two teams have met three times since Rodgers and Brees have been the quarterbacks, with the Packers winning two of them, including the most recent matchup back in 2012, when the Saints missed a potential go-ahead field goal with around three minutes remaining.

Brees has a chance to tie the series at 2-2 with a win on Sunday night, but regardless of who wins, there should be plenty of points scored.

Defenses Heading in Opposite Directions

USA TODAY Sports

Before the start of the 2014 season, the Saints were expected once again to have one of the best defenses in the league under defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Meanwhile, Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers was—and might still be—on the hot seat after some very bad seasons on that side of the ball.

Now, the two defenses are quickly moving in opposite directions.

USA TODAY Sports

The Packers, although they have still struggled mightily against the run, have started to turn things around, allowing just 17.4 points per game over the past five weeks. The defense has been much better at forcing turnovers as well, generating 14 takeaways so far, tied for the second-most in the league.

A healthier overall squad, along with the offseason addition of Julius Peppers, have been big lifts, but the emergence of rookie safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has been key. After struggling in the first two weeks, Clinton-Dix has been much more comfortable in the defense lately.

Peter Bukowski from Sports Illustrated even predicted that Clinton-Dix will win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, despite the strong play of other rookies like C.J. Mosley and Kyle Fuller.

For the Saints, the defense has been a major disappointment. They rank tied for 31st with just four takeaways this year, while giving up 27.5 points per game, ranking just 28th. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the Saints have the third-worst graded defense this season.

The safety position has been a big concern in New Orleans, with Jairus Byrd going down with a season-ending knee injury and Kenny Vaccaro struggling to return to form after a very promising rookie year in 2013.

There's still plenty of time left in the season, but so far, both defenses haven't been what fans were expecting.

When: Sunday, October 26

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA

Channel: NBC

Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra

Betting Lines (via Odds Shark):

• Over/Under: 56
• Spread: Saints -1.5

Team Injury Reports

Player	Pos.	Status	Injury
Morgan Burnett	S	DNP	Calf
Datone Jones	DE	Full	Ankle
Sam Shields	CB	DNP	Knee
James Starks	RB	Limited	Ankle

Player	Pos.	Status	Injury
Brodrick Bunkley	NT	Limited	Concussion
Jimmy Graham	TE	Limited	Shoulder
Jonathan Goodwin	C	DNP	Knee/Ankle
Ramon Humber	LB	Limited	Ankle
Kyle Knox	LB	DNP	Ankle
Keenan Lewis	CB	Limited	Knee/Shoulder
Khiry Robinson	RB	DNP	Forearm
Patrick Robinson	CB	Full	Hamstring
Pierre Thomas	RB	DNP	Rib/Shoulder

Note: Injury reports are from Thursday's practices via Packers.com and NewOrleansSaints.com

Prediction

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The Packers come into Week 8 with a lot of momentum, but they can't sleep on Brees and the Saints, even if they're just 2-4.

Still, because of their weaker pass defense, it will be hard for the Saints to cover players like Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. Even rookie Davante Adams has started to emerge as a threat, catching eight passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns over the past three games.

Both quarterbacks won't be afraid to air it out, but the running game could be key for both sides. Eddie Lacy has started to turn things around after a rough start, but the running game will be more important for the Saints, who could be without a number of running backs.

The Packers have struggled stopping the run, giving up 147.9 yards per game on the ground. Mark Ingram is back and ready for the Saints, but with Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas potentially out, he could have to take the majority of carries.

This should be a close game, but with Rodgers having an MVP-caliber season, I expect the Packers offense to put up just enough points to give them their fifth straight win.

Prediction: Packers 31, Saints 28