Another game yielded another front-line player lost for the New Orleans Saints, unfortunately.
Running back Alvin Kamara (groin) won't play Monday night when the Saints (5-9) face the Packers (10-4) at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Kamara, the team leader in touchdowns (eight), rushing attempts (228), rushing yards (950), receptions (68) and receiving yards (543) is 50 yards short of reaching 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his illustrious career.
His absence obviously will not help the Saints in their quest to win their fourth game in six attempts under interim head coach Darren Rizzi.
But, here are a few things that will:
1. KEEP RATTLER'S HAND HOT
Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will start against the Packers and is coming off his best performance of the season, by far – 10 of 21 passings for 135 yards and a touchdown, and directing scoring drives on all four second-half possessions against Washington. Rattler looked exponentially more poised than in his first three starts, and he must maintain his wits against a Green Bay defense that has almost as many interceptions (14, tied for fifth most in the league) as touchdown passes allowed (19). The Packers are plus-10 in turnover margin this season; Rattler must protect the ball.
2. NO MILLER LITE
New Orleans probably will go heavy on the Kendre Miller use at running back, with no Kamara available. On 19 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown in two games since returning from missing four games on injured reserve, Miller has exhibited the strength and speed package that New Orleans drafted. The Saints will need that against the Packers, who've allowed 12 rushing touchdowns and only 105 rushing yards per game, including 77 per game in the last three. There'll be help available for Miller (Jamaal Williams, Jordan Mims, maybe Clyde Edwards-Helaire), but the second-year running back – and the offensive line – need a big game. He should be more familiar with his responsibilities now.
3. BRING YOUR FRIENDS
It's not only that Packers running back Josh Jacobs has 1,147 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 265 carries this season, it's that he has more yards after contact (630) than before contact (517). Saints linebacker Demario Davis has had a string of All-Pro level games and he'll need another one. New Orleans' defense must swarm the ball and gang tackle Jacobs, because he has been a tackle-breaking machine. He's a downhill runner who'll distribute punishment.
4. TOUGH LOVE
New Orleans is coming off an eight-sack game against Washington; Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love has been sacked 11 times this season. It's a tall task and a big ask, but that's part of the job and the Saints defense must be up to the challenge. Love has completed 64 percent of his passes for 23 touchdowns with 11 interceptions and has gone four straight games without an interception (seven touchdowns during that stretch). The bad news is, he's mobile but the good news is, he hasn't run much (25 carries, 75 yards). Keeping him corralled is important, getting him on the ground is critical.
5. IF THE SHOE FITS
Rizzi has stressed wearing proper cleats this week for a reason: The weather likely will deteriorate Monday evening and Lambeau Field is natural grass, so proper footing will matter. The mix of cold and possible snow isn't something the Saints have dealt with this season and New Orleans doesn't need a slip at an inopportune time; that often can result in an explosive play for the opponent. The Packers know the footing requirements and, hopefully, so do the Saints.
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