We are somehow already three weeks into the NFL season, and the Packers will make their Lambeau Field debut against the New Orleans Saints. It’s going to be completely electric when Jordan Love gets to run out of the tunnel as the starting quarterback for the first time. As we wait for that moment with antici…pation, let’s talk about six things to think about going into Sunday’s home opener. 

1. In the Zone 

Through two weeks, the Packers rank first in the NFL in red zone offense. They’ve made six trips and have scored five touchdowns, giving them a touchdown percentage of 83.3%. For a young offense missing key players and fielding a ton of rookies, it doesn’t get much more impressive than that. 

The Saints defense, however, ranks second in the NFL in red zone percentage, allowing just one touchdown in six possessions (16.7%). That said, the Saints have yet to face an offense as explosive as Green Bay’s. The Packers currently rank second in the league in points for, averaging a whopping 31.0 points per game. 

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Well, I guess we’ll find out Sunday. As Packers.com senior writer Wes Hodkiewicz pointed out earlier this week, the Saints have allowed 20 or fewer points in 10 straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL. If the Packers can stay hot in the red zone, Love and Co. have a chance to put that streak to bed. 

2. LaFleurishing at Lambeau

Per the dope sheet, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has led Green Bay to a 27-6 record at home in the regular season from 2019-2022. This is the best record in the NFL since 2019, when LaFleur took over as head coach. For those wondering, the Kansas City Chiefs rank second at 25-8. 

Green Bay actually has some significant history with the Saints, despite the two teams having never met in the postseason. The Packers are 10-3 against New Orleans at home with a 4-2 record at Lambeau Field. Interestingly, the series between the two NFC teams began all the way back in 1968, when two Vince Lombardi assistants Phil Bengston (Green Bay) and Tom Fears (New Orleans) squared off in Milwaukee. 

To date, the Packers have played three home openers against the Saints and have won all three games. Green Bay won back-to-back openers in 1978 and 1979, both in Milwaukee, and then opened the 2011 season at Lambeau Field winning that matchup, too. (Kickoff return for a TD on Sunday, anyone?)

Seriously though, how can you not love the dope sheet? Who would’ve ever known that two Lombardi assistants were part of the first ever matchup between the Saints and Packers. NFL history is awesome. 

3. Backfield Marching Orders 

With Alvin Kamara serving his three-game suspension, the Saints backfield belonged to familiar face Jamaal Williams. Unfortunately, Williams will be out this week with a hamstring injury, meaning the backfield by committee approach should be in full effect on Sunday. 

Tony Jones Jr. had a two-touchdown performance last week against the Panthers, despite only carrying the ball 12 times for 34 yards. He’ll split touches with rookie third-round draft pick Kendre Miller who will be making his NFL debut after missing the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury. Of course, there’s also Taysom Hill, the go go gadget quarterback/running back/tight end who has 12 carries for 79 yards through two games. 

Whoever is in the backfield, and I mean whoever, the Packers need to shore up their run defense after an abysmal performance in Week 2. While some NFL players are just unicorns, and Bijan Robinson looks the part of an NFL unicorn through two games, the Packers simply cannot win football games when they give up 211 rushing yards. 

4. Baby You Can Drive My Carr 

The Saints have a new quarterback this season in 10-year pro Derek Carr. While Carr lost perhaps his all-time best weapon in Davante Adams, he’s got a pretty explosive core surrounding him in New Orleans. 

Second-year receiver Chris Olave leads the Saints with 14 receptions for 198 yards through two weeks. Michael Thomas also looks like the Thomas of old, hauling in 12 catches for 116 yards in two games. Perhaps the most impressive receiver, though, is former undrafted free agent Rashid Shaheed. Through two weeks, he’s second on the team with 152 yards on only nine receptions, and he’s scored the team’s only receiving touchdown. 

Carr’s own numbers aren’t eye-popping. He’s thrown for 533 yards with the lone touchdown and two interceptions. He’s also taken eight sacks already in two games. The Packers will have the opportunity to bring some heat against the least mobile quarterback they’ve faced so far this season. But on the flip side, he’s still a veteran and by far the most experienced quarterback Green Bay has seen thus far. The Packers can’t afford to let Carr get comfortable and connect with his receivers at Lambeau.

5. Expanding the Arsenal 

In some promising news, both Christian Watson and Aaron Jones returned to practice in a limited fashion this week. While it’s unclear if either will suit up on Sunday, the Packers do have a short turnaround before a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Lions only four days later. Both players practicing is a decent sign that if they can’t play against the Saints, they at least may be full go by the NFC North matchup. 

Through two weeks, Jayden Reed leads the offense with 13 targets. Romeo Doubs is second on the team with eight, followed by Luke Musgrave with seven and Dontayvion Wicks with six. If there’s one thing we’ve seen from Love so far, it’s that he’s been good at spreading the ball around. 

This Saints secondary is perhaps Love’s stiffest test yet, as the defense has only given up one touchdown in two games, a single receiving score from three yards out. On the ground, opposing teams have yet to find the end zone against New Orleans. Corners Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo both have a pick already this season, and while the unit will be hurting with safety Marcus Maye out serving a three-game suspension, there’s still a honey badger on the loose in the secondary. 

6. Special Teams, Special Leg

While there were certainly some concerns surrounding rookie kicker Anders Carlson after a tumultuous training camp and preseason, the sixth-round draft pick has a 100% completion rate through two games, connecting on two field goals and all eight extra points. 

His 52-yarder in Chicago Week 1 probably would’ve been good from Sheboygan, and that leg should come in handy on Sunday. Remember that lockdown Saints red zone defense we talked about earlier? They’ve only given up one touchdown, which means opposing offenses are settling for field goals. 

If the Packers get into scoring range, connecting on field goals will be imperative to leaving Week 3 with a win. It doesn’t have to be pretty or high-scoring to count, as we saw in Week 1 when the Saints won 16-15 against the Tennessee Titans (who only managed five field goals). 

With another game looming on Thursday, long sustained drives on offense will help keep the defense fresh, and that means each drive needs to result in points. This one could come down to Carlson’s leg. 

What I’ll be drinking for the game: 

I did it! I found Carry the G for Week 2 and it was glorious. Cream ales are some of my favorites. Since I’ll be at the game this week, I’m going to be drinking whatever speaks to me inside Lambeau Field. If you see me walking around, say hi! Cheers, and Go Pack Go!