Saints vs Packers Predictions: Packers should prove much too strong for Saints

The Green Bay Packers look set to have a play-off place wrapped up in time for Christmas and even if Sunday's results didn't confirm their postseason place before kick-off a home win over the New Orleans Saints would complete the job. Kick-off 01.15 UK-time, early hours of Tuesday December 24.

NFL Odds

The Packers, at 10-4, are unlucky to still be only third in their tough NFC North division as the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are also having tremendous campaigns but the divisional rivals are on course to claim three of the seven NFC play-off places.

The Saints are on the brink of elimination at 5-9 but they have shown more spark under interim head coach Darren Rizzi after Dennis Allen was fired and they went close to upsetting the Washington Commanders last week.

The Packers are huge favourites to secure their sixth home win of the season as NFL Week 16 comes to a close in potentially wintry conditions.

Read on for our Saints vs Packers predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team news

 The Saints are set to start rookie Spencer Rattler at quarterback after Derek Carr was ruled out with a hand injury. Jake Haener started against the Commanders but struggled and was replaced by Rattler at half-time.

Running back Alvin Kamara (groin) and wide receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Bub Means (ankle) have all been ruled out, while another wide receiver, Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness) is questionable.

Cornerback Paulson Adebo, tight end Taysom Hill and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed are on injured reserve, but one piece of positive news is that defensive end Chase Young is set to play.

The Packers have ruled out defensive back Javon Bullard (ankle) and linebacker Quay Walker (ankle).

Cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) should return after missing the last four games but is rated questionable. Fellow corner Corey Ballentine (knee) is also likely to be passed fit and tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) may be able to return after a spell out of action.

Safety Evan Williams (quad) was a late addition to the injury report and is also listed as questionable.

Match Odds, Saints @ Packers

The Packers are red-hot favourites for this game at home at 1/10, with the Saints 13/2 to cause an upset. Green Bay are asked to give up 14.5 points on the handicap with odds of 20/21, while the Saints are 20/23 getting a start of 14.5 points.

The total points line for the game has been set at 41.5, with odds of 10/11 for either under 41.5 or over 41.5.

Green Bay Packers by 13-18 points @ 4/1

The Packers should have few problems punching their ticket to the play-offs by beating the Saints whatever the outcome of Sunday's games involving other play-off contenders.

Matt LaFleur's team are in fine form with eight wins in their last 10 games. Both of their setbacks came against the impressive Detroit Lions, and the Saints should not provide much of a challenge in their current state.

Darren Rizzi has done a solid job as interim head coach in New Orleans but he is now missing his starting quarterback, his star running back and several of his top wide receivers, so he really shouldn't have the offensive firepower to keep pace with the Packers.

A handicap of more than two converted touchdowns should never be taken lightly, though, and a more rewarding winning-margin play is preferred to a straight bet on the spread.

A Packers win of 13 to 18 points covers the range of them squeezing past the handicap line and also falling just short. Green Bay's wins over the Dolphins (13 points) and Seahawks (17) both fell in that area.

Josh Jacobs first match touchdown scorer @ 14/5

Running back Josh Jacobs has been fantastic for the Packers this season and could set the ball rolling by scoring the first touchdown of the game.

Jacobs has scored nine rushing touchdowns in his last five games including hat-tricks against the 49ers and the Lions.

The former Las Vegas Raiders star scored the first TD of the game against the Seahawks last week and had also been his team's first touchdown scorer against the Lions in their previous game.

NFL Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.