Fansided

5 players the Saints need to play well to beat Packers

By Aryanna Prasad

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 14: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the second half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 14: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the second half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 17: Tre’Quan Smith #10 of the New Orleans Saints catches a 16 yard touchdown pass against Ross Cockrell #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 17, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 17: Tre’Quan Smith #10 of the New Orleans Saints catches a 16 yard touchdown pass against Ross Cockrell #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 17, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

As the Saints overcome hardship after hardship, there are five players that could give them a much-needed Week 1 win against the Green Bay Packers.

Life hasn’t gotten any easier since the New Orleans Saints lost heralded quarterback Drew Brees this offseason, as the “cursed” team is already facing adversity before their Week 1 kickoff.

In what was supposed to be a season opener that offered a home field advantage versus the Green Bay Packers, the Saints had to pack up and settle in Jacksonville to evacuate the destruction of Hurricane Ida in their home city.

Despite the unsettling of their location and their passing leader, the Saints have a strengthened roster that still poses a threat to their elite NFC foe.

Now more than ever, the Saints need a win to boost the spirits of Who Dat Nation — and here are the five players who can win it in Week 1.

15. . Wide Receiver. New Orleans Saints. Tre'Quan Smith. 5. player

Tre’Quan Smith may have been a fantasy disappointment in seasons past, but in the absence of Michael Thomas, the offense is going to lean heavily on Smith and his compatriots.

The expected WR1 has flashed potential since being drafted in 2018, but all receivers have paled in comparison to the action that Thomas and Kamara have seen with Brees over the past several years.

But a new year and new quarterback also brings a new type of offense, one that will utilize the deep threat potential Smith is capable of wielding. While New Orleans has been secretive all offseason in naming their starter and revealing their game plan, knowing that Jameis Winston is in charge indicates that the Saints plan on using his arm strength.

Smith hasn’t broken 500 yards in any of the past three seasons, but he’s managed at least 13 yards per reception in all three seasons. He may rank 72nd in catch rate last season, but it’s only because deep threats are quite literally hit-or-miss. If Winston eliminated his interception issues, he has the arm to lob Smith the ball — an arm that Brees admittedly didn’t have last year.

After all, it was Smith who caught the 56-yard trick play touchdown versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round of the 2020 playoffs that earned Winston a place in NFL history books.

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