• WHERE: Lambeau Field (Green Bay, Wisconsin)
• WHEN: 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes, NFL+

The Saints under interim coach Darren Rizzi have shown some fight in recent weeks, and they will look to do so again in the frigid weather Monday night at Lambeau Field.

New Orleans (5-9) has a 3-2 record under Rizzi since he took over for Dennis Allen. The Saints also struggled with injuries to key positions throughout the season. Starting quarterback Derek Carr has missed four games due to injuries, most recently a broken left hand, while running back Alvin Kamara (groin) is out for Monday’s game.

Meanwhile, Green Bay (10-4) finds itself in a tough NFC North division, trying to catch up with Detroit and Minnesota in the playoffs. It is the first time since 2021 that Green Bay has reached 10 wins and the 33rd time in franchise history that the Packers have achieved more than 10 wins in a season.

Even though the playoff race is all but over for New Orleans, Monday’s result could be playoff-deciding for the Packers if needed (depending on Sunday’s results) or potentially serve to strengthen their postseason position .

Here are four things to watch for when the Saints visit the Packers on Monday night on ESPN and NFL+:

1) Saints give the keys to Rattler. Jake Haener earned his first NFL start of the season last week against the Commanders, giving him a chance to showcase his skills. Unfortunately for Haener, he faltered and was replaced by rookie Spencer Rattler at halftime in the Week 15 loss. In relief, Rattler led the New Orleans offense to four possessions (two touchdowns and two field goals). On Monday, Rattler will start for the fourth time in his career. The fifth-round pick from South Carolina has completed 69 of 120 passes for 706 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Green Bay’s defense could see a boost as Jaire Alexander, inactive since Week 12 with a knee injury, is questionable for Monday’s matchup. If the Saints want to pull off an upset in Green Bay, Rattler will have to take care of the ball against the Packers’ high-powered defense.

2) Is Jordan Love coming at the right time? The Packers QB put together one of the most efficient runs in team history. Love has recorded a passer rating above 100 in each of the last five games, compared to just one in the first 10 weeks of the season. Only Aaron Rodgers has had a longer streak as a Packers QB since 1950, according to NFL Research (eight games in 2010 and 12 in 2011). Entering the season, Love threw at least one interception in each of his first eight starts, but he was turnover-free in the last four games. In Sunday night’s win over the Seahawks, Love threw for 229 yards to seven different receivers and connected with Romeo Doubs for two scores to continue a developing late-season trend. Since becoming a starter in 2023, Love leads all QBs with a 31-4 TD-to-INT ratio and a 114.1 passer rating as of Week 11 (including playoffs). Green Bay’s offense has been one of the hottest attacks, scoring 30 or more points in each of the last four games. Love proved to be dangerous in December, and Monday’s game is an opportunity for the rest of the league to take notice once again.

3) New Orleans is looking for playmaker reinforcements. The Saints’ offense will be different, with Alvin Kamara becoming the latest star to miss time. Kamara leads the team in rushing yards (950) and receiving yards (543). He is the only Saints player with more than 500 scrimmage yards in 2024. The next man up for the Saints is Kendre Miller. In Week 15, Miller ran the ball nine times for 46 yards and had a big rush of 17 yards against the Commanders. Even if he isn’t the dual threat of RB Kamara, Miller certainly has the potential to play in a big game or two. Wide receiver Chris Olave was expected to return this week after being placed on injured reserve following his second concussion of the season in Week 9. But the Saints ruled Olave out for Monday’s game due to his limited participation in practice all week. Therefore, the availability of Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness; questionable) is important as a rookie QB makes his fourth NFL start. With Kamara and Olave out, it could be a long night for the New Orleans offense if they don’t get off to a quick start.

4) Packers RB is having a career year. It appears Josh Jacobs found the perfect situation by signing with Green Bay this offseason. Entering Week 16, Jacobs ranks third in the NFL with 1,147 rushing yards, behind Saquon Barkley (1,688) and Derrick Henry (1,474). The Packers RB has 13 scrimmage TDs, which is tied with Ahman Green (2000) and Billy Howton (1952) for the most scrimmage TDs by a player in his first season with Green Bay. New Orleans’ defense is allowing 134.4 rush yards per game and has given up over 100 rush yards to five different players. The last time Jacobs rushed for 100 yards was in Week 12 against the 49ers. He could put in a great performance if the Saints defense finds containment as difficult as it has been.