The reigning Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers host the New Orleans Saints, Thursday Sept 8th, for the first game of the 2011 NFL season. The Saints won their last meeting 51-29, at home, but it was back in 2008. NFL oddsmakers have the Packers as -4 point favorites over the Saints with the over/under set at 47 points. Start the 2011 NFL season off right by getting your bet on the latest Saints vs Packers Spreads available now.
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ew Orleans most interesting aspect of this game is going to be how the Saints use Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, and Darren Sproles. Being the first game of the regular season, Thomas could see more touches in this game than any other game during the 2011 – 2012 season. While Ingram is likely to start, veterans Thomas and Sproles should pick up a larger part of the workload while Ingram gets his feet wet. Drew Brees and the Saints offense have a number of interesting options, and how they use these options could make or break them. Obviously, how the Packers defense responds will a huge key as well. It’s entirely possible that the Saints could pull off the upset. For the Saints, the advantage they have is that this is the first game of the season. They’re far more likely to win a game like this in week 1 than they would be later in the season.
Green Bay RBs Ryan Grant and James Starks will split time in the backfield but no one knows how their carries will be divided. Grant will start and get the first chance to show he's hot. Starks doesn't need many carries to get going and if he plays like he did at the end of last year, it will be hard to keep him out of the lineup. TE Jermichael Finley (ankle) believes there's no reason he won't be close to 100 percent come gametime Thursday night. Finley stands to be a big part of the offense this year. He's a matchup nightmare for any defensive coordinator because of his size and speed. He'll be split out as a receiver often because that gives QB Aaron Rodgers a better idea of what coverage the defense is playing.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
Favorite is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Saints are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in Week 1.
Saints are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0.
Packers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in Week 1.
Packers are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games as a home favorite of 3.5-10.0.
Saints vs Packers
When: Thurs Sept 8th@8:00 PM ET
Pick: Packers -4
Point-Spreads recommends you check the latest NFL Odds before the Saints vs Packers game starts.
The Bottom Line: The New Orleans Saints will bring a powerful offense to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, but expect the Packers to take this game by defense. Start the 2011 NFL season off right by getting your bet on the latest New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers Spreads available now.
