The Green Bay Packers will face the New Orleans Saints after their game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, and they have already received a huge lineup boost at the expense of their Week 16 opponents.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr might be out for the rest of the season after sustaining a “significant” injury during Sunday’s win over the New York Giants, as the four-time Pro Bowler fractured his non-throwing hand. Carr is also said to be dealing with a concussion.
After leaving late in the game against New York, New Orleans replaced Carr with Jake Haener, who didn’t attempt a single pass. Fortunately for the New Orleans Saints, they held on to a 14-11 win to improve to a 5-8 win-loss record.
According to Pro Football Network, the New Orleans Saints have a 3.1 percent chance of winning the NFC South and a 3.7 percent chance of qualifying for the postseason, and losing to the Green Bay Packers would undoubtedly be a huge blow to them.
What does this mean for the Green Bay Packers?
The absence of Derek Carr significantly boosts Green Bay’s chances of winning in Week 16, as the 33-year-old quarterback will be replaced by either Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler.
Spencer Rattler has started three games in place of Carr this year, losing all three matches. He completed less than 60 percent of passes with one touchdown and two interceptions and has been sacked 14 times. Meanwhile, Jake Haener has yet to start in a full NFL game.
The Green Bay Packers are one win away from securing their playoff berth. If it doesn’t happen this week against the Seattle Seahawks, they may just do it against a depleted New Orleans Saints squad.
