Back to Football: New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers

On Thursday September 8, 2011, what almost didn't happen (because of the lockout) will finally happen. For the first time in almost seven months, there will be "meaningful" football under the bright lights of national television. The New Orleans Saints are going to travel to Lambeau Field and face the defending Super Bowl Champions the Green Bay Packers. This will be the first time since the NFL started kicking off on Thursday nights that the past two Super Bowl Champions have faced off in Week One on national television. This matchup is looking to be a high-scoring, pass-happy, exciting matchup. Here are the keys for both teams to win the game:

(Drew Brees(left) and Aaron Roders(right) are both critical
to their teams succes, and both are former Super Bowl MVP
Photo Credit http://www.ffspin.com/)

1.Turnovers- Both defensive coordinators, Gregg Williams of New Orleans and Dom Capers of Green Bay, have a tendency to send a very aggressive pass rush at quarterbacks. Green Bay ranked second in the league in 2010 with 24 interceptions. While New Orleans only had 9 interceptions, they also recovered 16 out of 25 forced fumbles. If New Orleans wants to be back in the Super Bowl picture, they need their defense to get back to their '09 form when they had 39 turnovers and played smart on offense.

2.Running Game- New Orleans this offseason traded Reggie Bush to Miami. But they brought in Darren Sproles from San Diego and drafted '09 Heisman Trophy Winner Mark Ingram out of Alabama. While both teams have great quarterbacks, they both need to be able to run the ball more aggressively. Neither team was in the Top 20 of teams running the ball. The Saints are going to be leaning more on Mark Ingram who showed flashes of greatness in the preseason. The Packers are going to have Ryan Grant back, who missed all of last season.

3.Quarterback Play- This is going to be the main difference maker in this game. Both quarterbacks are among the leagues best. Aaron Rodgers hasn't even hit the prime of his career and Drew Brees is in his prime. What makes Rodgers different from Brees is his mobility. Rodgers is in a position where he can succeed just like Drew Brees. Drew Brees is arguably one of the smartest quarterbacks in the league. He picks apart defenses and is nearly always spot on when he throws. He was even able to make the playoffs last year despite having a couple of games where he had 3+ interceptions.

My prediction for this game is 38-35, Green Bay. Between the momentum from the Super Bowl and playing at home for the first time since the end of last season; it is going to be an exciting game.