The Green Bay Packers secured a convincing 34-0 win over the New Orleans Saints, clinching their playoff berth and setting up a promising postseason run. The dominant defensive display was led by first-year coordinator Jeff Hafley’s unit, which generated an astonishing pressure rate of 52.6% against Spencer Rattler.
The front seven was nearly unstoppable, holding the Saints to under 100 yards of offense in the first half while building a 21-point lead. Green Bay’s defense has been improving significantly over the last five weeks, allowing an average of just 11.8 points per game since its Week 10 bye. The Packers’ shutout victory was reminiscent of the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, where LSU struggled to move the ball.
Rattler struggled against the Packers’ defense, with the Saints’ receiving corps being severely undermanned due to Alvin Kamara’s absence. Despite showing flashes of promise, Rattler was ultimately outmatched by Green Bay’s talented defense. The Saints offense was stagnant throughout the game, finishing over 200 yards only in garbage time.
In contrast, Green Bay’s offense is a force to be reckoned with. Led by quarterback Jordan Love and backed by a formidable rushing attack, the Packers’ unit can pound the run and exploit defensive weaknesses through the air. Coach Matt LaFleur’s mastery of the chessboard is on full display, allowing his team to adapt and thrive in various situations.
One bright spot for the Saints was Khalen Saunders, who had a productive game despite the shutout loss. The defensive tackle nearly snagged a pick-six and deflected a pass at the line of scrimmage, showcasing his impressive skills. Meanwhile, Malik Willis, the Packers’ backup quarterback, continued to grow under LaFleur’s guidance, demonstrating why he was acquired by the team during the preseason.
The Packers’ dominant performance marked their first shutout of the 2024 season and the 240th game of the regular season. With this victory, Green Bay solidifies its position in the NFC and sets itself up for a promising postseason run.
Source: https://www.nfl.com/news/saints-packers-on-monday-night-football-what-we-learned-from-green-bay-s-win-over-new-orleans