Last season, the Green Bay Packers were a wild-card team and nearly pulled out a divisional-round victory over the 49ers in San Francisco that would have put Jordan Love and company in an NFC title game matchup with the Detroit Lions. This season, after a couple of losses to the Super Bowl-favorite Lions and also the Vikings and Eagles, Green Bay finds itself in a familiar spot — looking for a wild-card berth and a chance to make some noise in the NFC in January. While the Packers have already reached 10 wins, playing in the NFL’s best division hasn’t been entirely kind, with losses to those heavyweights, but the fact remains that Green Bay is unbeaten against the rest of the NFL.
That may pose some bad news for the Saints, who, after a good start to the year (remember when this team was averaging nearly 50 points per game after two weeks?), have come down back to earth with a thud. Head coach Dennis Allen got fired last month, and with interim boss Darren Rizzi pulling the levers, New Orleans has an eye on next season. With aging starters at key positions and uncertainty around the future, getting some momentum heading into the offseason will be important for the players who’ll be around for the new regime next season.
Pro Bowl Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander will miss a fourth-straight game with a lingering knee injury. The Packers previously listed Alexander as questionable before ruling him out prior to Monday night’s kickoff.
Packers inactives:
7 LB Quay Walker
18 WR Malik Heath
20 S Javon Bullard
23 CB Jaire Alexander
33 S Evan Williams
62 OL Jacob Monk
Saints inactives include Alvin Kamara, Derek Carr
Alvin Kamara and Derek Carr are among the Saints’ inactives for “Monday Night Football.” This is no surprise. The Saints listed both as out for the game on their Saturday injury report. Wide receiver Chris Olave also remains sidelined on injured reserve for Monday’s game.