New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers: Why Saints Running Game is the X-Factor

Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees are not the most important players on Thursday.

Everyone looks at Week 1’s New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers tilt as a battle of the top QBs. Sure, that may be true…but they won’t be the players that decide the game. Both will play extremely well and cancel each other out.

The key is how effective the Saints' running game can move the ball. If they are able to move the chains and set up the play action, then the Saints are going to be in great shape.

The carries will be split between Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram. All three players bring something unique to the table and if they can move the chains consistently, the defense will be incredibly worn out by the fourth quarter.

The O-line was really beefed up with the addition of center Olin Kreutz. He is the sort of veteran presence that the unit needed so desperately. Expect the O-line to do just fine against a Packers pass rush that is missing one of their best players from last year in Cullen Jenkins.

It’s up to second-year nose tackle BJ Raji to really step up and clog the holes. He will be playing alongside Mike Neal, a guy that has a grand total of three NFL tackles to his name. Ryan Pickett, who enters the 11th year of his career, will hold the other defensive end spot. The 31-year-old is on the downside of his career and will not be making a huge impact this season.

I expect the Saints O-line to win the battle of the trenches and open up the necessary holes for the backs to wear down the defense.

A tired defense equals big points for the Saints.

Expect the Saints ground game to runaway with the opening-night victory.