The Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints are set to face off on Monday Night to wrap up the Week 16 in the NFL.
The Packers enter this matchup with a 10-4 record, which would be good enough for first place in three divisions in the NFL, but they sit in third place in the NFC North. With both the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings holding records of 13-2, the Packers will be forced to fight out of the Wild Card in their path through the playoffs. Green Bay will officially clinch a playoff opportunity with a victory tonight.
Things have not been as great this season down in New Orleans. After an exciting 2-0 start to the year, the Saints lost seven consecutive games and saw their season outlook greatly change. Injuries have become an increasingly large issue with Derek Carr, Chris Olave, and Alvin Kamara headlining a crowded list of names set to miss tonight. The organization will continue to evaluate what Spencer Rattler can do and make some significant decisions this offseason.
The Packers enter this game as 14-point favorites at -950 on the Moneyline. The Saints are +625 underdogs on the Moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook and the game total is set at 43 points.
There are plenty of ways to get involved in the Monday Night Football action. One of the more unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Football! In this article, we will look at my top Pick6 choices across both matchups and simply pick higher or lower on the set statistic for each player.
Jordan Love More Than 232.5 Passing Yards
Outside of some injury issues that popped up, it has been a successful season for Jordan Love. The second-year starter has completed 63.7% of his passes this year for 2,953 passing yards and 23 touchdowns across the 12 games that he has played. He is averaging 246.1 passing yards per game and has thrown for more than 232.5 passing yards in six games this season.
New Orleans ranks 30th in the league in yards allowed and 28th in passing yards given up this season. The biggest threat to Love not reaching this total is the game becoming a blowout. However, expect a focused effort from Love from the opening drive as he leaps at the opportunity to carve up the struggling defense in the early parts of the game. Expect Green Bay to air it out early and often as they look to take control of the matchup.
The Packers have a well-rounded wide receiver group which prevents the defense from locking in on a specific target. Expect Love to use this to his advantage and spread the ball around in this matchup. The game script will play a role in the level of opportunity he gets to throw the ball but count on Love at least reaching his average of 246.1 passing yards and don’t be shocked if he ends up with a monstrous statistical total.
Josh Jacobs More Than 92.5 Rushing Yards
The Green Bay Packers made an offseason splash by bringing in Josh Jacobs in free agency. The Pro Bowl running back has provided a new element to the Packers’ offense and given them some great balance in their offensive attack. So far this year, he has carried the ball 265 times for 1,147 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Jacobs also has added 31 receptions for 302 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air.
Looking at the Saints’ defense, they rank 12th in points allowed, 30th in yards given up, 27th in rushing yards conceded and 31st in net yards per rush attempt. Jacobs is averaging 81.9 rushing yards per game on the season. He has recorded more than 92.5 rushing yards in five different games this season and has the game script heavily in his favor tonight.
Look for Jordan Love to air the ball out early and help the Packers build a big lead. Once this occurs expect Josh Jacobs to receive plenty of additional rushing opportunities in an attempt to run out the clock. He has seen an average of 18.9 rush attempts per game and is coming off a 94-yard rushing performance last week. Expect there to be some additional chances with a potential blowout on the table and for Jacobs to receive the necessary opportunity to record more than 92.5 rushing yards one way or another.
Kendre Miller More Than 71.5 Rushing & Receiving Yards
The Saints’ offense took a massive hit following the injury news surrounding Alvin Kamara. The star running back has been the engine of the New Orleans offense and has recorded 1,493 yards from scrimmage this year, which ranks seventh in the NFL. Kamara will miss tonight’s matchup due to his groin injury, with his availability further in doubt in the games moving forward.
Look towards Kendre Miller to step up as the primary weapon out of the backfield. The second-year running back has tallied 28 carries for 130 yards and a touchdown this season. Miller has also flashed the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, which should come into play tonight if the Saints are playing from behind.
The Packers have been solid on both sides of the ball this year. Looking at their defensive production, Green Bay ranks eighth in points allowed, ninth in yards given up, 16th in passing yards allowed, and 10th in rushing yards conceded. Tonight will mark the largest offensive role Miller has received through his two years in the NFL, but he has the talent to produce. Last week Miller logged 47% of offensive snaps and finished with nine carries for 46 yards. While he is still largely unproven, expect there to be enough volume of opportunity for a strong day from Miller. The TCU product is an elusive runner with breakaway speed that is capable of making a big play happen when given the chance. Expect him to find his opportunity tonight and record more than 71.5 combined rushing and receiving yards.
Juwan Johnson More Than 30.5 Receiving Yards
Look around the list of New Orleans Saints skill position players and you will not find any household names. Injuries have hit the franchise hard and derailed their hopes for the season. Juwan Johnson has emerged as a larger part of the offense than expected this season as a result. So far this year he has tallied 36 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns.
While Johnson is averaging just 26.8 receiving yards per game, he has recorded more than 30.5 receiving yards in six games this season. Johnson is also coming off a season-high 81% route participation last week and has made his way into the end zone in two of the past four weeks.
While he isn’t the flashiest athlete, Johnson has sure hands and is more than capable in his role. Tight ends are oftentimes a young quarterback’s best friend and Johson has had two of his three best receiving outputs this season with Rattler at quarterback. As the rookie prepares for his fourth start, look for Johnson to be involved and record more than 30.5 receiving yards for the seventh time this season and third time with Rattler throwing him the football.
Foster Moreau More Than 23.5 Receiving Yards
Looking at the other tight end on the Saints, there is a similar outlook for Foster Moreau. The 27-year-old has also been active in the passing attack and recorded 23 receptions for 301 yards and four touchdowns on the season. The 54 yards receiving he tallied in Week 6 marked Moreau’s season-high which also happened to be Spencer Rattler’s first start on the year.
Overall, Moreau is averaging 21.6 receiving yards per game and has recorded more than 23.5 receiving yards in six games this season—two of the three with Rattler at QB. Looking at the Packers’ defense, they have shown some weakness against tight ends this year. They are allowing an average of 5.8 receptions and 59.4 receiving yards to the tight end position this season.
Moreau has been on the field for 49% of snaps or greater in every game this season and seen as many as 85% four weeks ago. With the Saints limited at the wide receiver position, expect Moreau to play a role in making the young quarterback comfortable in the offense. Count on Moreau to make his imprint in this matchup and record more than 23.5 receiving yards for the seventh time this season and the third time with Rattler at quarterback.
Romeo Doubs More Than 38.5 Receiving Yards
It has become increasingly difficult to predict which Packers wide receiver will step up on a week-by-week basis. While this is beneficial to the offense as a whole, it is a struggle when filling out your Pick6 selections. Luckily, there should be room for each of the receivers to make an impact tonight with New Orleans ranking 30th in yards allowed and 28th in passing yards conceded.
Looking at Romeo Doubs’ production, he has tallied 37 receptions for 523 yards and four touchdowns this season. He has recorded at least one catch in every game this season and is averaging 47.5 receiving yards per game. Doubs has recorded more than 38.5 receiving yards in eight of the 11 games he has played this season including against much more difficult defenses.
While it has felt risky believing in any Packers wide receiver on a week-to-week basis, Doubs has proven that recording more than 38.5 receiving yards is well within his range. Expect Green Bay to let it fly early in this matchup against a struggling opponent and for Doubs to record more than 38.5 receiving yards for the ninth time this season and third consecutive game.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (“Pick Set”) of at least two players and select whether you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you cannot pick the same player twice and you must select players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is seanbarnard) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid only in states where DraftKings Pick6 operates. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. See terms at pick6.draftkings.com.
