Saints vs. Packers: TV Schedule, Live Streaming Audio, Radio, Game Time and More

It's hard to imagine a better matchup than the New Orleans Saints vs. the Green Bay Packers to kickoff the NFL season. The defending Super Bowl champion Packers look to kickoff their quest to repeat with a huge win over the Saints. The Saints are looking to restore their 2009 glory and redeem themselves after an embarrassing postseason performance last season.

Star quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees are both right on the brink of being recognized as elite quarterbacks, a club in which Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are the only members.

For the Saints, this is an opportunity to show that recent improvements make them a top-flight defensive team. They are going to have a serious test in front of them, as a healthy Packers offense could be considered the best in the entire NFL.

Where: Lambeau Field

When: Thursday, September 8th, 8:30 PM EST

Watch: NBC

(Update: The kickoff show originally scheduled to air on NBC at 7 p.m. EDT will now be shown on Versus, USA, Syfy and G4, all NBC Universal cable stations. It will be joined in progress on NBC when the speech has concluded, with the four other stations resuming regularly scheduled programming.)

Live Streaming Audio: NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month)

Listen: Milwaukee’s WTMJ (620 AM), Sirius Satellite Radio

Betting Line: Green Bay -4 

What's at Stake?

This game features the winners of the last two Super Bowls. Everything about the Packers screams dynasty, but the Saints are always a threat to put it together and make a deep run in the postseason. Neither of these teams won their respective divisions last year, an outcome they'd both like to change in 2011.

One win could be the difference between being a division winner and missing the playoffs entirely. The Packers play in the NFC North, where the Bears are obviously a huge competitor and the Lions are on the rise. The Saints need every win they can get, as the Falcons and the Buccaneers could both finish above the Saints in the standings.

A Super Bowl win for either one of these teams would make it two in three years. The way the Saints' season came to an end last year is no indication of how this season will go, especially given the way they beefed up on defense. The Packers getting their injured weapons back is going to make it hard for any team to oust them from the throne, though.

Saints Injury Report

Cameron Jordan: Questionable
Joique Bell: Probable
Chris Ivory: Out
Adrian Arrington: Probable

Packers Injury Report

James Jones: Probable
Randle Cobb: Probable
Jermichael Finley: Probable
James Starks: Probable
Davon House: Questionable

Fantasy: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em and Sleeper

Start 'Em: Mark Ingram, Saints

Don't be spooked by the Packers' defense. They gave up just under 115 yards on the ground last year and the Saints are going to look to put their first-round pick to work early. Mark Ingram is already the most talented back on the roster and will bring a hard-nosed SEC running style to the Saints.

Sit 'Em: Randall Cobb, Packers

Randall Cobb was a popular rookie sleeper pick in fantasy football this year. He goes into one of the best passing offenses in the league and people are hoping he can accrue decent enough numbers to jump into the flex or third WR spot at some point. He's going up against a grossly underrated pass defense and there is no way Sean Payton allows a rookie wide receiver to have anything better than an average day. 

Sleeper: Ryan Grant, Packers

For some odd reason, Ryan Grant is being discounted in fantasy football. His injury has made people forget about how great he is in the running game and everyone seems to be overvaluing the Packers' complementary backs. Look for Grant to make his fantasy owners very happy against a middle-of-the-road Saints-run defense.

What They're Saying

Drew Brees: "I think it's always a source of motivation when someone puts you as an underdog. In the end, you have to go out and still prove that you deserve to be in that category and be a contender and win a tough game on the road in a tough environment when everyone is betting against you."

How true that is. The Saints relished being the team that was written off and excelled under the radar in 2009. Perhaps this game will present a similar result, as the Saints look to restore the glory of their Super Bowl run.

Greg Jennings: "It's just fortunate for us that we are that we are that team that gets to repeat, but right now, we have some Saints that are in our way on Thursday night."

This quote shouldn't be taken as Jennings disrespecting the Saints in any way. He acknowledges the uphill battle facing the Packers this season as they look to repeat and recognizes the challenge the Saints face. These two teams could square off again in the playoffs. They are looking to win one game at a time, but it's hard not to think of the possibilities down the road. 

Saints Player to Watch: Aubrayo Franklin

Aubrayo Franklin was a huge, somewhat surprising addition by the Saints. They either got a steal or a dud here and it's impossible for anyone to tell which yet. At his best, Franklin dominates the trenches. In 2009, he quietly took over the battle at the line of scrimmage and nearly made the Pro Bowl. The Saints are hoping a change of scenery can allow Franklin to rebound from his forgettable 2010 campaign. 

Packers Player to Watch: Jermichael Finley

Jermichael Finley's return makes an already fantastic Packers passing attack even better. He's a top-flight tight end that creates huge mismatches for defenses. He's a nightmare in coverage and blows the whole offense wide open. The Saints are going to have their hands full with Finley.

Key Matchup: Drew Brees vs. Aaron Rodgers

Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers are both MVP candidates this year. They are the undisputed leaders of not only their offenses, but of their entire teams. They are both going to come out with guns blazing in the opener.

If either falters, this game is in the bag for the opposition. A more likely scenario will have one of these field generals leading his troops down the field in the final two minutes. This game will likely come down to which quarterback outshines the other in the 4th quarter.

On the Hot Seat: Darren Sproles

People don't give Reggie Bush enough credit. He left some big shoes to fill in New Orleans and most people have no idea how big of a role he actually played in the offense. Newly acquired Darren Sproles faces an uphill battle in replacing Bush, but he's talented enough to soften the blow of Bush's departure. If he fails to grasp the complexities of the offense, the Saints won't be incorporating their change of pace back as much as they have in previous years. 

Prediction: Saints 18-Packers 24

This should be a lower-scoring game than most people anticipate. Both teams have the secondaries to slow down the monster passing attacks colliding in this game. The Packers will kick off this season the way they ended last season. What makes them even scarier is the fact that they improved this offseason.

While the Saints made improvements as well, they've got a lot to prove after their performance in the postseason last year. They get the benefit of the doubt, as one game doesn't determine a team's worth, but they have to produce before being given the upper hand against the Packers.