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

5. Za’Darius Smith

Big stars in big games, I’ve said it twice and that also applies to the defense.

Za’Darius Smith has been a Swiss-army knife for the Packers defense so far this season. With Kenny Clark out because of injury, Smith has been moved all over the defense to make up for his loss.

Smith has played a stand-up nose tackle of sorts, with his hand down as an inside rusher, and at his usual spot on the edge. And as he did all of last season, Smith has produced.

The easiest way to stifle the Saints offense is to keep the pressure on Brees. And the Packers’ best playmaker on defense, Za’Darius Smith, must be the lead dog in the pass rush.

One of the best ways to use Smith might just be right up the middle.

Brees is a shorter quarterback and could be bothered with someone of Smith’s size constantly pressuring him up the middle. Should Brees or Payton start to use Brees on roll-outs, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary will be there to keep the pressure up.

Also as Brees has gotten older, the slant and quick pass has become his go-to on offense. If Smith can prevent the quick passes by disrupting Brees over the middle, the Packers defense would score a big win.

If Clark is out again this week, the Packers will be short on playmaking talent on the defensive line and will have to rely on their linebackers to fill the holes.

This is the marquee game of the NFC in Week 3. The Packers and Saints have Super Bowl aspirations and this game could loom big later in the season. I know it’s only September, but the winner of this game could be in the driver’s seat to host a possible rematch in the playoffs.