5 keys for Packers to beat Saints this Sunday

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 24: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass during the NFC Championship game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field on January 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Buccaneers defeated the Packers 31-26. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 23: Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints looks to throw a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Caesars Superdome on August 23, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

4. Be prepared for Taysom Hill

Hill may have lost the battle to become Brees’ heir to Winston, but Sean Payton is too enamored with the versatile quarterback to eliminate him from his gameplan altogether. The Packers defense should be prepared for Hill to come into the game at any moment on Sunday.

Hill taking over for Winston will drastically change the identity of the New Orleans attack. He’ll look to put pressure on Green Bay’s defensive front with his physical running style. The Packers’ linebacking corps will need to meet that physicality at the point of attack to neutralize Hill’s potential impact on the game.

The inevitable switch from Winston to Hill also is significant for Green Bay’s safety duo of Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos. They should both slide much closer to the line of scrimmage whenever Hill lines up under center. They can’t afford to completely sell out to stop the run, but they can’t play the same sort of deep center field they’ll play against Winston if they want to keep the Saints from racking up first downs.

Hill may not see a ton of snaps in this game, but Green Bay can’t panic when he trots out onto the field. Having a set defensive plan for his special package should be a priority for the Packers defensive coaching staff this week.

Home/Green Bay Packers