A new era is beginning in New Orleans, and an old one might be coming to an end in Green Bay. The Packers and Saints have long been among the NFL's top contenders, combining to appear in four of the last five NFC Championship games. But the green and yellow are about to kick off what could be a farewell tour, of sorts, for reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers. And Sean Payton's squad has already undergone a major quarterback change, entering 2021 with Jameis Winston set to replace the retired Drew Brees.

The Saints and Packers might be headed in different directions (or the same direction, at different speeds, depending on how you look at it). But on Sunday, they go head to head. Can Rodgers get Green Bay right back on track for another NFC title bid? Can Winston plant his flag as a true Brees successor in his first gig as the Saints' QB1? And how will both sides handle the unusual location, with New Orleans borrowing Jacksonville's TIAA Bank Field in the wake of Hurricane Ida?

We've got you covered below with odds, predictions, key questions, information on how to watch, and more:

How to watch

Date: Sunday, Sept. 12 | Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: TIAA Bank Field (Jacksonville, Florida)
TV: FOX | Stream: fuboTV (try for free)
Follow: CBS Sports App
Odds: Packers -3.5, O/U 50

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Key questions

  • How will the Packers offensive line hold up? All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari is sidelined for at least six games, so Green Bay has done some shuffling in front of Aaron Rodgers. Up-and-comer Elgton Jenkins is solid, but he's proven himself as a guard, not a blind-side blocker. Cameron Jordan could pose issues off the edge.
  • What will the Winston offense look like? We saw plenty of Winston throughout the summer, but you have to wonder whether Sean Payton will get creative to mask Winston's turnover tendencies or just let him rip it. As for the QB himself, it could be a challenge finding reliable targets, with New Orleans seriously lacking receiver depth.
  • Can the Packers contain Alvin Kamara? Green Bay swapped Christian Kirksey out for De'Vondre Campbell and still has Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith on the outside. If they can bottle up Kamara, Winston is probably going to be pressured into chucking up deep balls to keep up with Rodgers. If you're the Saints, a good recipe is just keep feeding No. 41 until it doesn't work.

Prediction

Who knows what to make of the Saints this year? They're not a popular pick to bottom out just because of Sean Payton's track record, but even if Winston is passable, which he should be, they are short on depth at key spots on both sides of the ball. Bradley Roby, for example, would really come in handy in that secondary, but he won't suit up for his Saints debut until Week 2. As long as Kamara is on the field, they have a chance to extend plays and drives behind a savvy O-line.

Still, when you look up and down the Packers' roster, you see a much more complete and talented team. Rodgers has never been more confident in himself and, besides the shuffled O-line, returns basically the same core complements from his NFC title-game appearance. Between Aaron Jones and Davante Adams and even new (old) face Randall Cobb, the Pack simply have the weapons to move the ball on the regular. Lucking into a Winston turnover or two would almost assuredly seal the deal on the road.

Pick: Packers 26, Saints 21

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Check out CBSSports.com for even more predictions on this game and the rest of Week 1.