Live Updates: Packers vs. Saints in Week 16 Monday Night Football
The Green Bay Packers aim to solidify their playoff chances, while the New Orleans Saints look to disrupt those plans during “Monday Night Football.”
Typically, a 10-4 record would have the Packers in a competitive spot for their division; however, they currently sit third in the fierce NFC North, trailing both the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, both at 13-2.
This means every victory is crucial—not just for divisional standings but also for the playoffs. The Packers have yet to secure a playoff berth, but a win against the Saints tonight would lock in at least the seventh seed with only two weeks left in the regular season.
On the other hand, the Saints have faced a tumultuous season. After letting go of head coach Dennis Allen, they also lost quarterback Derek Carr to a significant injury. Now out of the playoff race, New Orleans seeks to spoil the postseason hopes for other teams.
Despite their struggles, the Saints have shown resilience recently, posting a 3-2 record in their last five games. Points have been hard to come by, but they are competing fiercely in support of interim head coach Darren Rizzi.
YSL News Sports will be offering live updates, highlights, and additional coverage of the Week 16 “Monday Night Football” matchup between the Packers and Saints, which you can follow below.
Packers Will Start with the Ball
The Saints won the coin toss and chose to defer their option to the second half, allowing the Packers to begin the game on offense.
Game Start Time
- Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. CT)
As per tradition, the Saints-Packers game is set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Broadcast Information
- Network: ABC | ESPN
This game will be aired on ESPN, featuring the seasoned commentary duo of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, with Lisa Salters providing sideline reports.
Note that there will not be a “ManningCast” for this evening’s broadcast.
Live Streaming Options
- Stream: Fubo | ESPN+
If you’re looking to stream the game, you can do so on Fubo, which offers access to NBC, CBS, FOX, NFL Network, and ESPN networks, allowing fans to watch NFL action all season long.
Additionally, the game will also be available on ESPN+, ESPN’s premium streaming service.
Inactive Players for Saints
- QB Derek Carr
- WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- RB Alvin Kamara
- DT Nathan Shepherd
- DT Khristian Boyd
Inactive Players for Packers
- LB Quay Walker
- WR Malik Heath
- S Javon Bullard
- CB Jaire Alexander
- S Evan Williams
- OL Jacob Monk
Predictions and Picks for the Game
Here’s what the YSL News Sports team predicts for the matchup between the Saints and Packers:
- Tyler Dragon: Packers 27, Saints 16
- Jordan Mendoza: Packers 29, Saints 13
Betting Odds: Packers vs. Saints
The Packers are the favorites against the Saints according to BetMGM NFL odds. If you’re not focused on this game, check out expert predictions and best bets for every NFL matchup this week.
- Spread: Packers (-14)
- Moneyline: Packers (-1000); Saints (+625)
- Over/under: 43.5
Location of the Game
The Saints are set to visit the Packers at the icy Lambeau Field for this “MNF” game.
Lambeau Field has been the home stadium for the Packers since 1957 and has hosted four championship games during the Super Bowl era. Before the AFL-NFL merger, it was known as City Stadium from 1957 to 1964 and held NFL championship games in 1961 and 1965.
One of the most memorable games in Lambeau Field history is the “Ice Bowl,” where the Packers triumphed over the Dallas Cowboys on December 31, 1967. Additionally, in Week 17 of the 1993 season, Pro Football Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler made history with the first “Lambeau Leap” during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders.
Weather Conditions for Packers vs. Saints
Fans of the Green Bay Packers entering the “Monday Night Football” showdown against the New Orleans Saints are hoping for two things: a playoff spot and a snowy Christmas.
They may just get both tonight.
A victory for the Packers would secure their place in the postseason, and they may achieve this at Lambeau Field, potentially blanketed in snow from light flurries expected in Wisconsin on Monday.
However, the snow likely won’t be as heavy as what NFL viewers witnessed during the Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game earlier this season, and it might not even fall while the game is ongoing. — Jacob Camenker
NFC North Standings
The Packers currently hold a record of 10-4, yet they find themselves in third place in the NFC North division. Here’s how the standings look:
- Detroit Lions (13-2)
- Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
- Green Bay Packers (10-4)
- Chicago Bears (4-11)
Current Standings in the NFC South
The Saints are working hard to avoid ending up at the bottom of the NFC South on “Monday Night Football.” Here’s how this division is arranged.
- Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
- New Orleans Saints (5-9)
- Carolina Panthers (4-11)
Playoff Chances for the Packers
Green Bay can secure a playoff spot for the second consecutive year and the fifth time in six seasons with a win on “Monday Night Football.”
This puts the Packers in a favorable position heading into the postseason, as BetMGM had given them -10000 odds (99% probability) of making the playoffs prior to the start of Week 16 games.
Packers’ Playoff Path
For the Packers, it’s simple: they must win to get into the playoffs on “Monday Night Football.” A win against the Saints will ensure they grab a wild-card position in the NFC playoff bracket.
Update on Derek Carr’s Injury
Derek Carr fractured his left hand, which is his non-throwing hand, earlier in the current season. As of December 17, he may still need a few weeks before being cleared for contact, making it quite unlikely he returns this season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The quarterback for the Saints has multiple fractures in his left hand and was still under concussion protocol as of Monday, December 17. Before returning, he must first clear a five-step concussion protocol in addition to being cleared for contact.
When Did Derek Carr Get Injured?
Derek Carr sustained his injury in the fourth quarter of Week 14 while playing against the New York Giants during a scramble. He collided with his receiver, Kevin Austin Jr., while jumping for a first down, landing awkwardly and injuring both his head and hand.
Spencer Rattler’s College Journey
Spencer Rattler entered college as a highly regarded quarterback prospect, having been the consensus No. 1 quarterback in the 2019 recruiting class. He gained additional fame from the Netflix documentary “QB1: Beyond The Lights,” which featured him during his final year at Pinnacle High School in Arizona.
Rattler attracted attention from several prestigious programs, ultimately deciding on Oklahoma after witnessing Lincoln Riley’s success in developing Baker Mayfield into a leading college quarterback. Although Mayfield didn’t achieve his Heisman victory or become the top pick in the 2018 NFL draft until after Rattler’s commitment, Riley’s reputation as a top-tier quarterback coach made the Sooners appealing to Rattler.
Will Alvin Kamara Play Tonight?
Alvin Kamara will not be playing against the Packers.
Saints coach Darren Rizzi provided this update during a media session last Thursday.
“It’s more serious than we initially thought,” Rizzi stated, suggesting it’s unlikely Kamara will play in the upcoming “Monday Night Football” game.
Following the Week 15 game, Rizzi refrained from specifying whether the injury was slight, indicating that further testing would be conducted on the running back.
Recent tests have shown that Kamara might face a lengthy recovery. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that while the situation is still being assessed, it appears Kamara may have suffered a season-ending injury.
Which NFL Team Holds the Record for Most Super Bowl Wins?
The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for the most Super Bowl victories, with six titles each.
The Packers have four Super Bowl victories from five appearances, winning the first two Super Bowls (originally known as the AFL–NFL World Championship Game) under the legendary Vince Lombardi, after whom the Super Bowl trophy is named. The Packers’ most recent championship win was in the 2010 season at Super Bowl XLV. Overall, the Packers have a total of 13 NFL championships, the highest of any franchise.
The Saints won their only Super Bowl appearance during the 2009 season in Super Bowl XLIV against the Indianapolis Colts.
Here are the NFL teams with the highest number of Super Bowl wins:
- New England Patriots — 6
- Pittsburgh Steelers — 6
- Dallas Cowboys — 5
- San Francisco 49ers — 5
- Green Bay Packers — 4
- Kansas City Chiefs — 4
- New York Giants — 4
