Tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC the New Orleans Saints (2-4) will host the Green Bay Packers (5-2) in an NFC showdown that could prove fatal to the Saints' playoffs chances if they can't pick up a victory. Fans can live stream the game free by clicking this link; Saints fans can listen to the radio broadcast on WWL 870, while Packers fans may do the same on WTMJ 620.
The Saints have struggled mightily this season with an offense that hasn't resembled the powerhouse of previous years. New Orleans has played four road games in 2014 though; they are traditionally stronger at home, and their 2-0 mark in the Super Dome indicates that hasn't changed.
They are favorites in this matchup, despite the record disparity, and head coach Sean Payton recognizes that there is plenty of time to go on a run, especially when the 3-3-1 Panthers lead the NFC South. "That's a ton of football," Payton said. "Basically we're finished (with), I believe a third of the season, a little bit more than that. But the focus for us will be right on Green Bay."
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be a problem for the Saints. They rank 30th in the NFL against the pass according to FootballOutsiders.com, and Rodgers has thrown three or more touchdown passes in each of his last four games.
"It's funny. I talk to old friends who have been here and are with other teams, and they don't really realize how good Aaron is until they go and play for someone else," guard Josh Sitton said. "It's hard to realize, I guess, when he's all I've known. I expect that week in and week out."
Packers coach Mike McCarthy remains wary of the Saints' vaunted home field advantage though.
"I would like to think our whole team clearly understands we're getting ready to go into a hotbox down there in New Orleans," McCarthy said. "I mean, this is going to be a big-time environment, big-time game. These are the kind of games you love to play in. Everybody wants to go get this one and get to 6-2, especially after where we were four weeks ago."
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