There was something eerily delightful about the echoes of the "Go Pack Go!" chants raining down on Lumen Field Sunday night. That place has been an utter house of horrors. It was a homefield advantage like none other. One that the Packers couldn't crack in some time.

But they dominated that game in every facet and an even more lopsided victory was hindered by only themselves. It was a business-trip-type win in a typically tough environment against a very quality opponent.

And now, with a win-and-in scenario on the line with the inferior Saints coming to Lambeau for Monday Night, we must shift our sights from last week to this week. Up goes the Periscope, and so we'll take a look at the past, present and future of the Packers and Saints.

The Past

Thankfully, Drew Brees ain't walking through the door for New Orleans this week. During Brees and Aaron Rodgers' primes, there were some unreal matchups, most notably the 2011 season opener where the Packers snuck out with a win on a goal-line stand on the final play of the game. Or the visit down to the Superdome during Covid for a huge win early on in a very solid regular season.

All-time, it's all Packers, holding an 18-10 edge. But many of those wins came in the 1970s, when the Saints were one of the worst franchises in football. In fact, it wasn't really until Brees when the Saints figured things out and became one of the league's most prolific offenses. Of late, it's been dead even with each team going 5-5 in the last 10.

But one of those games, in particular, took place in 2012, during those Brees-Rodgers prime years. It wasn't memorable record-wise -- the Saints were winless, the Packers 1-2 (fresh off a certain Fail Mary game). 

The Packers would open the scoring in this one, with Rodgers hitting James Jones from 12 yards for the touchdown. New Orleans got it back quickly, though, when Brees hit Marques Colston for 20 yards and a 7-7 score. In the second, though, the Packers would go up two scores with touchdown passes to Greg Jennings and a second to Jones. But just before the half, the Saints got one back on a Darren Sproles touchdown.

At 21-14 to start the second half, the Saints owned the third quarter with a Garrett Hartley field goal and Joseph Morgan 80-yarder from Brees. The fourth saw the Saints go up 27-21 after another Hartley field goal. But midway through the quarter, Rodgers hit Jordy Nelson for an 11-yard touchdown and 28-27 lead. With time waning, and the Packers with the ball, Rodgers hit Jones on an all-time amazing catch for a dagger first down.

The Present

After one of the most electric 2-0 starts of all time, scoring 91 points across two games, the Saints have fallen apart into one of the league's worst teams. After losing 7 straight, they fired head coach Dennis Allen in favor of interim coach Darren Rizzi. Since then, they've gone 3-2, playing solid defense along the way.

But also during that stretch, Derek Carr broke his hand. A mix of Jake Haener and rookie Spencer Rattler have tried to fill the void to mixed reviews. But after benching Haener in favor of Rattler last week, it's almost assured it'll be the latter this week against Green Bay. And while we await injury news, it should be noted that it looks like stud RB Alvin Kamara may not be able to play.

On the other side, the Packers need to win to get into the playoffs. Of the remaining games, this is a very good opportunity to do so before a trip to Minneapolis and season finale at home against Chicago. With the Monday Night lights on the league's youngest team that's seemingly found its identity, they'll be focused on locking in their seat at the playoff table.

The Future

Monday Night Football, 7:15 PM Lambeau Time. With Christmas in the air, it looks like the weather may accommodate. With temperatures expected in the low 20s and a chance of precipitation, let's collectively cross our fingers for a snow globe on Monday.

As for the game, this is a game the Packers should handle. Favored by two touchdowns, though, I understand some nerves - it's always a bit unsettling being favored by that much. And the Saints are capable of making things uncomfortable.

But in all reality, the Packers defense should be able to keep this team in front of them. Their tackling has been much improved, so limiting big plays will be the key for them in addition to containing Spencer Rattler.

Offensively, stick with the recipe of zero tendencies, run the ball and execute off play action. If they play like they have been, we'll have an extra Christmas gift to open late Monday Night.