Packers: 3 bold predictions for season opener vs. Saints

Darnell Savage makes two interceptions

It could be a breakout season for third-year safety Darnell Savage, and he’ll show why in the season opener with two interceptions.

Savage was an interception machine in his final two years at Maryland, and we started to see him make these plays for the Packers at the backend of last season. The former first-round pick made four interceptions in the final eight games of 2020, along with 10 pass defenses.

Savage showed potential in his first one-and-a-half seasons, but turned that into consistent, strong performances week after week in the second half of last year. His coverage was excellent. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed a passer rating of just 63.0.

Saints quarterback Jameis Winston will give the Packers’ defense opportunities to take the ball away — he had 30 interceptions in his last season as a starter back in 2019. If I had to pick one player in Green Bay’s secondary most likely to make the most of those opportunities, it would be Savage.

We saw some All-Pro performances from him last season. Now is the time for Savage to take that next step like Jaire Alexander did in his third year.

What better way to start than with two game-changing interceptions against the Saints?