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A quick glance at John Kuhn's season rushing statistics reveals nothing special. He has carried four times for 9 yards with a long gain of 3 yards.

Here's what the stats don't say: Kuhn has become a valuable commodity when the Green Bay Packers are facing third-and-1. All four of Kuhn's carries have come on that down and distance, and the little-known fullback has converted all of them.

In Sunday's win against the Bears, he doubled his season total for carries by getting the ball twice. On the Packers' second series, they faced third-and-1 at the Bears' 48-yard line. Out of their two-back, two-tight end formation, Kuhn got the ball on a fullback dive and picked up 3 yards. Four plays later, Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown pass to Greg Jennings for the game's first score. Then in the third quarter, on third-and-1 from the Bears' 24, the Packers used their full-house backfield (with fullback Korey Hall and tight end Tory Humphrey in front and Kuhn as the lone back behind them), and Kuhn got the yard they needed. Four plays later, Rodgers threw a touchdown pass to Donald Lee.

Kuhn's other carries came against Indianapolis on Oct. 19 (when he gained 3 yards on third-and-1) and at Tennessee on Nov. 2 (when he gained 2 yards on third-and-1). The third-year pro is one of nine NFL players with a perfect conversion rate on third-and-1 rushing plays. Only four of the nine players have more third-and-1 attempts than Kuhn.

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The Superdome might not be as daunting as the Metrodome, but it can get plenty raucous. Considering this is the first Saints' home game since Oct. 12 and it's on "Monday Night Football," their fans surely will be fired up.

As quarterback Aaron Rodgers said this week, one of the keys will be a fast start in order to take the crowd out of the game. Recent history suggests that will be tough for the Packers. They haven't been productive on game-opening drives. In 10 games, they have managed one touchdown (at Tampa Bay on Sept. 28) and one field goal (home against the Colts) on initial drives. That means they have come up empty eight times and of those eight drives, five have been three-and-outs.

It's been even worse coming out of the locker room to start the third quarter. The Packers haven't reached the end zone on a second-half opening drive all season. They have managed two field goals (home against Dallas on Sept. 21 and against the Colts). They have gone three-and-out on four of the 10 second-half opening drives.

Key matchup

Saints receivers vs. Packers secondary

This is strength against strength. New Orleans has the NFL's top-ranked passing offense (319.7 yards per game). The Packers have the league's third-ranked passing defense (176.3 yards allowed per game). Plus, the Packers lead the league with 16 interceptions. The Saints are a tough cover because they have receivers with a variety of skills and a quarterback in Drew Brees who likes to spread the ball around. Lance Moore is a small but quick receiver and does most of his work on short catch-and-run routes. Marques Colston is a big, strong possession receiver. Devery Henderson is a fast, deep threat. If running back Reggie Bush returns from a knee injury, he's capable of a big play as a receiver coming out of the backfield.