The Green Bay Packers went over 30 points for the fifth straight game and delivered the NFL’s first shutout of the 2024 season in a 34-0 win over the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football” from Lambeau Field.
Now 11-4, the Packers have officially clinched a playoff berth in the NFC field.
Here is an instant analysis of the Packers’ win over the Saints in Week 16:
Final score: Packers 34, Saints 0
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| NO (5-10) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GB (11-4) | 7 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 34 |
Live scoring
First quarter
GB 7, NO 0: Dontayvion Wicks 2-yard catch (8:41)
Second quarter
GB 14, NO 0: Josh Jacobs 2-yard run (11:43)
GB 21, NO 0: Chris Brooks 1-yard run (0:32)
Third quarter
GB 24, NO 0: Brandon McManus 55-yard field goal (7:03)
Fourth quarter
GB 27, NO 0: Brandon McManus 46-yard field goal (7:13)
GB 34, NO 0: Emanuel Wilson 1-yard run (2:41)
It was over when…
… Zayne Anderson intercepted Spencer Rattler inside the 10-yard line with the Packers leading 24-0 in the third quarter. The Saints never truly threatened again.
Game balls
Offense — RB Josh Jacobs: He barely played in the second half but still managed to produce 107 total yards and a touchdown on 17 total touches.
Defense — DE Brenton Cox Jr.: He produced another sack, finished with two quarterback hits and was in on probably a half-dozen other pressures of Spencer Rattler.
Special teams — K Brandon McManus: He comfortably made field goals of 55 yards (season long) and 46 yards and was 4-for-4 on extra points. The veteran has become automatic.
Key stat
188: The Packers dominated on the ground, rushing 39 times for 188 yards and three scores. Nine different players had a rushing attempt. Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks combined for 144 yards and three touchdowns.
Deciding factor
Another fast start: Last week, the Packers scored on four straight possessions to grab a 20-0 lead in Seattle. This week, the Packers got three straight touchdown drives to establish a 21-0 lead in the first half. Game over.
Jordan Love watch
Love started fast, throwing a touchdown pass to Dontayvion Wicks on third down to finish the first drive and hitting Tucker Kraft for a pair of explosive plays on the two other touchdown drives in the first half. But he cooled off and finished just 16 of 28 passing for 182 yards and a touchdown — good for a passer rating of 88.0. He had a couple of passes knocked down and wasn’t pin-point accurate down the stretch. A near interception was dropped on a deflected pass. Credit the Packers for scoring over 30 points and winning comfortably without a top performance from their quarterback.
Play of the game
Josh Jacobs rumblin'!
📺: #NOvsGB on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/NaWk7eYFyM— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2024
This play set the tone. Well blocked up front, and Josh Jacobs finishing the run with power. The 20-yard run set up the Packers’ opening drive touchdown.
Injury updates
Receiver Christian Watson exited with a knee injury. Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper left with an injury early but returned.
What’s next
A trip to Minneapolis to play the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium next Sunday. The NFL flexed the game to the 3:25 p.m. timeslot on FOX, so it’ll be a nationally televised game.
NFC North update
The Lions beat the Bears and the Vikings came back to beat the Seahawks on Sunday, eliminating the Packers from contention for the NFC North title. The Lions and Vikings are both 13-2. The best the Packers can hope for now is getting the No. 5 seed as a wildcard.