This is a crucial game for both teams as both the Packers and Saints are 5-5 on the season.  The Packers will probably come out running the ball with Ryan Grant who finally appears to be 100% healthy.  The Saints allow 111.0 yards rushing per game and 4.3 ypc so there’s no reason to expect Grant not to approach 100 yards on the ground.  Aaron Rodgers will likely also have a good game against a Saints’ defense allowing 235.2 yards passing per game.  Greg Jennings and Donald Driver could both have great games against the Saints on Monday Night.

The Saints would be smart to run a more balanced offense this week to take advantage of the Packers’ weakness in defending the run.  Pierre Thomas could be in line for a huge game if Reggie Bush isn’t ready to go against a Packers’ defense allowing 147.4 yards rushing per game and 4.9 ypc.  Still, the Saints will no doubt challenge the Packers’ pass defense which is allowing only 176.3 yards passing per game and they also have 16 interceptions this season.  Still, the Saints have enough weapons in the passing game for Drew Brees to pick where he wants to throw the ball.

PREDICTION:  NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 34, GREEN BAY PACKERS 33

The Saints have lost starting DE Charles Grant for the season due to a serious triceps injury.  Grant played in 8 games for the Saints this season and he made 33 tackles, had 3 sacks, defensed 2 passes and he also had a safety.  This will hurt the Saints’ pass rush big time and that’s not a good thing when you consider the secondary that they are playing.

The New Orleans Saints cut both kicker Taylor Mehlhaff and punter Ben Graham during the bye week.  To replace them the Saints have signed undrafted rookies Garrett Hartley (K) and Glenn Pakulak (P).  This is a very risky move for the Saints to depend on two rookies the rest of the season.  Hartley was very effective in his last two seasons at Oklahoma as he nailed 32 of 35 field goals (91.4%).  Hartley will be replacing rookie Taylor Mehlhaff who played in 3 games for the Saints in which he made 3 of 4 field goals (75%) and 9 of 10 extra points (90%).  Hartley will be the third kicker for the Saints this season as Martin Gramatica was the starter when the season started before he was injured.  Ben Graham punted the ball 3 times for the Saints covering 126 yards (42.0 avg) including 1 punt that landed inside the 20 yard line.  Steve Weatherford was the Saints’ starting punter when the season started but the Saints got tired of him before cutting him loose.  This is a very risky thing for the Saints to do heading into the 2nd half of the season where every game seems to mean more.