Drew Brees has not played well, but that’s not the only reason for the Saints' 0-3 start. (US Presswire)

Saints at Packers -- Week 4

Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisc. (grass, outdoors)

When: Sunday, 4:25 ET (Fox)

Spread: Green Bay by 7.5

Records: Saints (Overall 0-3, NFC South 0-1), Packers (Overall: 0-2, NFC North 1-0)

Past Results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 8, 2011: Packers 42, Saints 34; Nov. 24, 2008: Saints 51, Packers 29. Series record: Packers lead 15-7. The Saints' only win in four tries at Lambeau Field was in 2006, Drew Brees' second game with New Orleans.

What matters: Both teams are desperate for a win. The Saints can’t afford to fall to 0-4, all but taking themselves out of the playoff picture in September when they entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations. The Packers don’t want to fall to 1-3 after having Monday night’s game ripped away because of a bad call by a replacement official. These were the two best teams in the 2011 regular season, and they already have exceeded their combined loss total (Green Bay 1, New Orleans 3) from a year ago. Both suffered crushing defeats in the divisional round of the playoffs. They don’t want the story of 2012 to be about how they could not recover from those losses.

Who matters: Brees and Aaron Rodgers. They had an epic dual in the 2011 regular-season opener at Lambeau, with Rodgers going 27 of 35 for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Brees was 32 of 49 with three touchdowns. Both QBs have struggled to reach the same level this year, which is primarily the fault of the guys around them. The Saints’ offense produced minus-16 yards and no first downs on their last four series against Kansas City. Seattle sacked Rodgers eight times in the first half. Rodgers set an NFL record with a QB rating of 122.5 last year, but he is at 87.0 through three games this season. Brees set an NFL record for completion percentage last year (71.2), but he's at 54.7 percent this season. Best guess: The QB who comes closer to his 2011 numbers will emerge the winner.

Key Matchups: Saints TE Jimmy Graham vs. Green Bay S Charles Woodson. Graham’s numbers are down from his breakout 2011 season, but he remains Brees’ favorite target. After dropping a few passes in the first three weeks, he's due for a huge game. Woodson, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection at CB, has moved to safety in the Packers’ base 3-4 package and usually covers the tight end in the nickel that Green Bay uses most of the time. He’ll be on Graham early and often to try to neutralize the Saints’ most dangerous receiver. The Saints D-Line vs. the Packers O-line. Green Bay's blockers, who struggled against the Giants in the playoff loss last season, were inept in the first half against Seattle. Rodgers has been sacked 16 times, four more than any other QB. The good news for the Packers is the Saints’ front four is nowhere near as productive as the Seahawks. Pass-rushing specialist Junior Galette had two sacks against Kansas City, but New Orleans has only six overall.

Injuries of note: LBs David Hawthorne (hamstring) and Jonathan Casillas (neck) are out. DE Turk McBride (sprained ankle) is out. Everyone else was full go all week.

Inside stuff: The Saints are thin at LB, but it may not matter against Green Bay since they will likely play nickel most of the day. In the base defense, look for Scott Shanle at SLB with Will Herring starting at WLB and Curtis Lofton manning the middle. The Packers will try to exploit Herring, a career backup who started twice for the Saints last year and finished with only 10 tackles.

Connections: Packers coach Mike McCarthy was the Saints offensive coordinator under former coach Jim Haslett from 2000-04. Packers defensive coordinator Com Capers was the DB coach for New Orleans from 1986-91.

Stat you should know: The Saints, who set an NFL record by converting 57 percent of their third downs last year, are down to 37.8 percent (14 of 35) this year. The Packers have allowed opponents to convert only 9 of 35 third downs (25.7 percent), the third-best percentage in the league.

Record watch: Brees can tie Johnny Unitas’ record of 46 consecutive regular-season games with a touchdown pass, a mark that has stood since 1960. Unitas began his streak near the end of his rookie season in 1956. Brees’ streak started on Oct. 18, 2009 against the Giants. He has thrown more than one TD pass in 32 of the 45 games.

Bulletin board quote: “When you say he is trying to do too much, he’ll throw into double coverage and complete the ball most of the time. I don’t know if I put it on Drew as I put it on the other guys more often. You have to go fight for that ball when you’re in double coverage. Drew is going to throw it to you, go catch it.” -- Saints interim coach Aaron Kromer on Brees’ early season struggles.

Looking ahead: The Saints play host to San Diego before having their bye. If they lose Sunday, it will be interesting to see how the Superdome fans react to an 0-4 team after three years of tremendous success. The Packers face a three-game road trip -- the longest the NFL allows -- at Indianapolis, Houston and St. Louis.

Prediction: Packers 34, Saints 24

Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on twitter @CBSSaints.