Packers: Predictions for the NFC side of the playoffs

Conference Championship round

(1) Packers vs. (2) Saints

Surprisingly, this is the first time the Packers and Saints have met in the playoffs. Both of these teams have made regular appearances in the playoffs in the past 10 years, so the fact that they haven’t met in the postseason yet is very interesting.

This game would be a rematch of Week 3 when the Packers went down to the Big Easy and came out with a win. It was a game where Alvin Kamara ran free on the Packers, gaining 58 yards on the ground and another 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air.

The Saints were also without their star receiver Michael Thomas, who was out with an injury. Thomas has actually been battling an ankle injury for the past few weeks and has been on injured reserve, but he is expected back for the playoffs.

The Packers went into that game without Davante Adams, who was arguably the best receiver in the league this year. He missed multiple games this year and still finished with 18 receiving touchdowns, the most in the league. And as previously mentioned, the Packers’ defense has been much improved since their matchup with the Saints.

This game is going to be the perfect example of why home-field advantage is so big for Green Bay this year. Although there are no fans, the Packers will still have a big advantage. The Saints will have to travel from the south, where they play in a temperature-controlled dome with turf. The Frozen Tundra is going to be very different from what they are used to. The grass will be different and the conditions will surely make things more difficult for the Saints.

Now, add in the frigid temperatures with an aging quarterback in Drew Brees, who has shown this year that he just doesn’t have the same arm he used to. The colder weather will make the Saints’ offense one-dimensional, which in turn, will make it easier to stop them.

With how this Packers team is playing paired with home-field advantage, it really feels like this is the Packers’ year to move on and represent the NFC in the Super Bowl as they look to bring home their fifth Lombardi Trophy, and 14th world championship.

Winner: Packers