Three reasons why Packers will beat Saints in Week 1

Saints lack receiving depth without Michael Thomas

In last season’s meeting between these two teams, both the Packers and Saints were without their top wide receivers, Davante Adams and Michael Thomas.

Thomas won’t play in the season opener as he deals with an ankle injury. He will miss at least six weeks after being placed on the PUP list. For the Packers, barring an injury in practice before next week, they will have Adams available.

More concerning for the Saints is their lack of depth behind Thomas. Last year, they still had Emmanuel Sanders and tight end Jared Cook to catch passes. Both players have signed elsewhere this past offseason.

New Orleans will enter this game with Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith, Deonte Harris, former Packer Ty Montgomery, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey as their top options at receiver. According to CBS Sports, Smith is questionable for the season opener due to injury.

On the other side of the field, the Packers will have All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander. He shut down some of the best receivers in the game last season and will make it difficult for the Saints’ pass catchers to have success on his side of the field.

With Thomas out and the Packers facing an inexperienced Saints receiving corps, more attention can be put on stopping Alvin Kamara.