Packers: Five players key to victory in Week 3 vs. Saints

1. Aaron Rodgers

This seems like a bit of easy fruit but in big games, the stars have to play like stars. As I mentioned in the lead in, Aaron Rodgers has not won in New Orleans. In fact, Rodgers’ play in the two games was less than stellar.

In a Monday night contest in 2008, Rodgers’ first season as a starter, he threw three interceptions while getting routed 51-29. In their 2014 meeting, Rodgers again threw more interceptions than touchdowns, throwing two picks to only one touchdown as the Packers dropped the game 44-23.

As you can see, the Superdome has not been kind to Rodgers.

The third time could be the charm. Rodgers has been playing lights out so far in 2020, throwing for 604 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions, and is making an early case for his third MVP.

Rodgers may be down his favorite target; Davante Adams left the game last Sunday against the Detroit Lions with a hamstring injury. Adams was held out of practice on Wednesday and stated afterwards that his status will be decided later in the week.

With or without Adams, Rodgers will have to continue to spread the ball around and use his mind as much as his physical talents. With no crowd noise, Rodgers will be able to use his hard count on the road again and try to get an over-aggressive New Orleans defense.

There’s no doubt the Saints will try to get extra pressure on Rodgers to make him uncomfortable, so Rodgers’ equalizer will be his cadence.

Rodgers knows he hasn’t won in New Orleans, he also knows it was his play that was a large reason for those losses. I’m betting on Rodgers to come out guns blazing and ensure it isn’t his play holding the team back.