The Green Bay Packers can clinch their second consecutive berth in the NFL Playoffs if they defeat the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. At 10-4, the Packers cannot realistically win their division, but they can clinch one of the Wild Card spots with a win. The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, each at 12-2, have already clinched postseason spots.
The 5-9 Saints, however, will be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs should they lose to the Packers this week. Unfortunately for them, they will be playing this upcoming game without two of their best players on offense.
The New Orleans Saints Will Play the Green Bay Packers Without Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara
Earlier on Thursday, it was reported that the Saints will be incredibly shorthanded when they take on the Packers at Lambeau Field. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, New Orleans will not have quarterback Derek Carr. Instead, they will start rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler:
#Saints coach Darren Rizzi makes it official: Spencer Rattler will start Monday night against the #Packers, while RB Alvin Kamara is unlikely to play because of his groin injury.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 19, 2024
As Pelissero notes, New Orleans likely will also be without running back Alvin Kamara who is dealing with a groin injury.
Rattler, who has started three games for the Saints already this year, has a 57.5% completion percentage, 706 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 73.1.
Without Kamara, the Saints would be forced to start their backup Kendre Miller, who has 130 rushing yards and a touchdown this season. Jamaal Williams, the former Packers running back, who move up to the backup role. He has 129 rushing yards and a touchdown this season.
Other Former Green Bay Packers Are Playing for the New Orleans Saints
While Williams is the most popular former Packers player returning to Lambeau Field on Monday night, he is not the only one. Wide receiver Marquez Valdes Scantling, who played for Green Bay from 2018-2021, is also on the Saints roster. He originally signed with the Buffalo Bills this offseason after he was released by the Kansas City Chiefs, but Buffalo parted ways with him after six games.
MVS has found a home in New Orleans, having caught 14 passes for 352 yards and four touchdowns. He had two receptions for 26 yards with Buffalo.
The Saints’ starting left guard, Lucas Patrick, played 73 games (34 starts) for the Packers between 2017 and 2021. He spent the 2022 and 2023 NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears.
Shemar Jean-Charles, a fifth-round pick by Green Bay in the 2021 NFL Draft, is a backup cornerback for the Saints. Earlier this year, in a frustrating 23-22 New Orleans loss to the Carolina Panthers, Charles recorded his first career interception.
More Green Bay Packers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Packers Get Awful News Ahead of Taking on the Saints
- Former NFL Executive of the Year Reveals How Matt LaFleur Is Helping Jordan Love
- Inside How Josh Jacobs Is Powering the Packers Offense
- Packers Leading NFL in Important Stat that Is Powering Late-Season Surge
- How Packers Can Land Future Hall of Famer for Playoff Push
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
