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The Saints will look to bounce back after a tough loss in Las Vegas. The team will be without Michael Thomas for the second straight game, so they will be asking the 41-year-old quarterback to lean on Tre’Quan Smith and rusty, Emmanuel Sanders for the second straight matchup.
As for the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers has led his offense to back to back 40+ pt games. He’s silencing the doubters, and proving that he’s the early choice to receive the MVP award after two Weeks.
These Hall of Fame quarterbacks lead their competitive rosters into a clash of NFC power. Let’s take a look at these leader’s warriors running out of the tunnel, as particular positions will have a strong outcome in the winner of this contest.
Cameron Jordan vs Billy Turner
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To put it nicely for Cameron Jordan, he needs to wake up and perform as an All-Pro player with great matchups is expected. In back to back weeks, Cam Jordan has played a rookie offensive tackle, and a backup guard at tackle. How many sacks did the unheralded Trey Hendrickson capitalize on weaker matchups? He’s had two sacks thus far. How many quarterback sacks has Jordan had? Maybe 5, 6? The number is a fat zero.
Jordan has another great matchup to redeem himself, with the showdown coming on Sunday Night Football. He’s likely playing against the average tackle, Billy Turner. Turner is also battle a nagging injury, so it should be a challenge for him to slow down Jordan throughout the game. To make matters better for Jordan, Turner might sit this game out to rest an injury.
Jordan can’t go unnoticed on the sack sheet in three straight games, especially against weaker competition.
Kenny Clark vs Saints Interior offensive line:
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“Kenny Clark is questionable for the game”: The Saints struggled to win the time of possession against Las Vegas in Week 2. The Saints know that Kamara is capable of providing splash plays, as he should be heavily leaned on to expose the Packers subpar run defense come Sunday. Saints could really run well and control the clock, if they can slow down Clark.
The Saints biggest key to victory is blocking for Brees and not letting interior pressure get in the face of the precisive quarterback. Andrus Peat had a rough game last week, as he allowed a pass rusher to belt Brees and force an inaccurate throw into an interception. The other guard is Nick Easton/Cesar Ruiz and they are far from an All-Pro level at this time.
Weather or not Clark gets the green light to play, the Saints need to bring their A-game against one of the league’s best interior presences. It starts up front for the Saints in the run and pass game. They need to show up big on Sunday.
Emmanuel Sanders vs Jaire Alexander
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The Saints prized off-season acquisition hasn’t lived up to the Saints expectations in the early two weeks so far. Sanders had two drops and only one reception in last week’s cruel loss. It was expected that Saints could boast the best WR tandem with Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, but Thomas is injured, and Sanders has been out of sync dramatically.
Now with Thomas injured, it’s very important that Sanders can get on the same page with Brees. He’s not only a very talented wide out in the NFL, but he’s the best receiving weapon that Brees has.
Sanders will be facing one of the best corners in the whole league, with Jaire Alexander. Sanders can’t drop one pass on Sunday, and he will need to be at his best when he gets the ball in space. The Saints Hall of Fame quarterback needs a bounce back game with Sanders doing well.