The last time the Green Bay Packers faced the New Orleans Saints, they were a tattered version of their current state. In week seven of 2017, Brett Hundley was starting his first game in replacement of an injured Aaron Rodgers. If not for Aaron Jones, the Packers offense would not have moved the ball much at all that day. When they meet again this week on Sunday Night Football, you can expect to see a different Green Bay team take the field.

Since 2002, the Packers are 3-5 against the Saints, including two losses in the last two meetings. One of course with Hundley under center, and the other from 2014 in a game where New Orleans lit up the Packers defense on their way to a 44-23 victory. Rodgers finished with 418 yards but threw two costly interceptions that led to touchdowns.

Six years ago, when Green Bay last traveled to New Orleans and lost by 19 points, they were the sixth-ranked offense in the NFL. Through two games this season, they are number one in total offense, points, and average time of possession. Sunday night will it also be the first time the Saints face the Packers under Matt LaFleur.

New Orleans is 1-1 to start the season, but they probably aren't too happy about it. Their defense has talent, however, they fell flat against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night. Quarterback Derek Carr connected on 74 percent of his passes for 282 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. They also added 116 yards rushing led by Josh Jacobs.

Rodgers and Jones are set for big nights against a Saints defense coming off a putrid performance in prime time. Jones had a career day in week two, and Rodgers is trending toward having one of his best statistical seasons ever. They aren't showing signs of slowing down either.

Both teams are coming off seasons in which they finished 13-3, but while Green Bay appears to be picking up steam, New Orleans is slowing down. Led by a now 41-year-old Drew Brees, the consensus is not the same player he once was. The Saints will likely rely on Alvin Kamara to carry most of the load offensively so they can get back on track and not fall to 1-2.

Needless to say, Mike Pettine’s defense has to come ready. They took a step forward in week two but got off to a slow start last week allowing the Detroit Lions to march down the field with relative ease at the start of the game. This will not be the Lions in week three. New Orleans has better talent and is better coached.

Should the Packers win, they will move to 17-9 all-time against the Saints and be 3-0 for the second year in a row. It would be the first time Green Bay has started back to back years 3-0 with Rodgers at quarterback.

Most of the credit goes to LaFleur, who so far has been nothing short of brilliant with his play-calling and ability to squeeze every bit of talent from his personnel. If he outduels Sean Payton, it will say a lot about his stature among head coaches around the league.

Looking ahead, this Sunday will mark the beginning of a tough three-game stretch against NFC South opponents. Rest assured, we will learn a lot about Green Bay’s defense after they face a gauntlet of offenses, including New Orleans, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At this rate, finishing 2-1 following this stretch would be impressive. However, 3-0 isn’t off the table.