Packers vs. Saints score, takeaways: Green Bay dominates New Orleans in all phases to clinch playoff berth

Green Bay locked up its fifth postseason berth in six years in dominant fashion

The Green Bay Packers (11-4) lived up to their two-touchdown spread over the New Orleans Saints (5-10) in a 34-0 wire-to-wire victory. 

With their 34-point win, the Packers wrapped up their largest shutout victory since a 34-0 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10 of the 2007 season, as well as their second consecutive playoff appearance and fifth in six years under head coach Matt LaFleur. Their 11 wins are their most since the 2021 season when they went 13-4. Monday night's win also marks the first shutout win for any NFL team in the 2024 season, and per CBS Sports Research, Week 16 is the latest in a season for the first shutout victory to occur. 

The Packers came out firing right away, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions of the game, the first time Green Bay has done that since the 2020 season. It got the game started by executing a 10-play touchdown drive that culminated with quarterback Jordan Love's two-yard passing score to wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks in the middle of the end zone. Love checked out of the game with the Packers up, 27-0, with 5:52 left to play. He finished with 182 yards passing and a touchdown on 16 of 28 passing to earn his first career win in three tries on "Monday Night Football."

Green Bay's ground game punished the Saints all night long. Josh Jacobs' goal-line touchdown capped off a 96-yard drive, and then it was second-year back Chris Brooks who barreled in from a yard out for the final score of the first half. Jacobs finished with 69 yards rushing and a touchdown on 13 carries, giving him his sixth consecutive game with a rushing touchdown, tied for the most by a Green Bay player since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger along with Ryan Grant (2007) and Terdell Middelton (1978), per CBS Sports Research. Kicker Brandon McManus added two field goals (55 yards and 46 yards), and backup running back Emmanuel Wilson concluded the scoring with a one-yard rushing touchdown with 2:41 left to play in the game. 

As for New Orleans, it struggled to move the ball offensively with rookie Spencer Rattler under center in place of an injured Derek Carr, and it was plagued with pre-snap and operations penalties in addition to turnovers. Arguably the Saints' most promising drive came with just over two minutes to play in the half, as they got the ball to the Green Bay 29-yard line. However, Rattler was strip-sacked by blitzing Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon and fumbled the ball to eliminate the scoring opportunity. He also threw an interception in the third quarter to Green Bay safety Zayne Anderson, who made his first NFL start Monday because of injuries to safeties Javon Bullard and Evan Williams. Rattler finished the night with 153 yards passing, an interception and a lost fumble on 15 of 30 passing. The Saints are off to their worst 15-game start to a season since 2005 when they started 3-12. 

Why the Packers won

Green Bay outclassed New Orleans in all three phases of the game. The Packers out-gained the Saints by over 200 total yards (404-196), had 10 more first downs (24 to 14) and won the turnover battle, 2-0, with Rattler's interception and lost fumble. Their ground game netted nearly 200 yards rushing (188), and Love played a clean game. While the Packers' offense took their foot off the gas in the second half, their three touchdowns on their first three possessions were more than enough to make sure there was no doubt about the game's outcome. 

Why the Saints lost

The Saints simply didn't have the firepower to hang with a postseason-bound Packers. Not having quarterback Derek Carr, running back Alvin Kamara, wide receiver Chris Olave and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed heavily limited the firepower New Orleans possessed Monday night. Coming up to Lambeau Field in late December and having to tackle the battering ram that is Josh Jacobs over and over again simply wore their defense out. 

Turning point

Jacobs' two-yard rushing touchdown that put Green Bay up 14-0 after its second drive of the game. Going up two scores on this shorthanded Saints' bunch acted as an early knockout punch. 

Play of the game

Nixon's blitzing strip-sack of Rattler. New Orleans had finally driven inside the Packers' 30 with just under three minutes left in the half, but Nixon spoiled the Saints' scoring hopes with a perfectly executed strip sack that edge rusher Rashan Gary finished off with a fumble recovery. 

What's next

The Packers (11-4) head north to face the Minnesota Vikings (13-2) in Week 17 to fight over NFC postseason seeding. Minnesota won the first matchup, 31-29, at Lambeau Field back in Week 4, Love's return from an MCL sprain. The Saints (5-10) return home in Week 17 to host the 3-12 Las Vegas Raiders. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 11:06 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Saints offensive lineman Lucas Patrick, a former Packer, exits with a knee injury. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 11:05 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Up 34-0, the Packers are closing in on the first shutout win for any NFL team in the 2024 season. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 10:48 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Green Bay starting quarterback Jordan Love is done for the night with the Packers up 27-0 with 5:52 to play. He finished with 182 yards passing and a touchdown on 16 of 28 passing to earn his first career win on "Monday Night Football." Malik Willis will finish out the game at quarterback. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 10:47 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Packers safety Zayne Anderson makes another nice play, helping break up Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler's fourth-and-7 throw to give Green Bay the football back in Saints territory at the 48. They lead 27-0 with 5:52 left to play. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 10:39 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Green Bay is on cruise control and adds another three points to their total. They lead 27-0 with 7:13 left to play. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 10:35 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

What a demoralizing play for New Orleans. Looked like they were going to force a three-and-out and maybe build some momentum with a shorter field. Instead, Love uncorks a 37-yard bomb to Jayden Reed to move the chain (and the clock) on third-and-long. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 10:23 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

If this score holds (and there's no reason to think that it won't), Spencer Rattler would move to 0-4 as a starter this season. That would be tied for the second-most consecutive losses by a QB to start a career in Saints history. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 10:21 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

The ESPN broadcast say the Packers are putting running back Josh Jacobs on ice with the team up 24-0 at the start of the fourth quarter. Wide receiver Christian Watson is also questionable to return with a knee injury, but he will likely just be held out as a precautionary measure with the game well in hand. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 10:15 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Packers safety Zayne Anderson made his first NFL start tonight because of injuries to safeties Javon Bullard and Evan Williams. He now has his first career interception courtesy of Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler. Anderson was lurking in zone coverage, and he knifed in front of Rattler's throw to tight end Foster Moreau. The Packers take over at their own 22 up 24-0 with 2:11 left in the third quarter.  

[Dec 23, 2024 at 10:15 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

My goodness. I can't believe not a single Saints player was able to come down with that interception. Just that kind of night for New Orleans. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 10:12 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Just when the Saints seem to gain a little momentum offensively, Rattler tosses a pick. Looked like Derek Jeter on one play and, well, Spencer Rattler on the next. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 10:10 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

That's the third sack on Rattler today. After a strong gain to Johnson, the Saints offense takes a step backward. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 10:04 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Jordan Love just missed an open Jayden Reed who was ahead of his defender by a step on an over route on third-and-6. Packers kicker Brandon McManus improved to 15 of 16 on field goals this season by draining a 55-yarder to cap Green Bay's first drive of the second half. The Packers lead 24-0 with 7:03 left in the third quarter. They've outgained New Orleans 269-100 in total yards thus far, and they have 18 first downs to New Orleans' seven. Total domination so far.  

[Dec 23, 2024 at 9:57 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

That run by Bo Melton now has the Saints giving up 109 yards rushing to the Packers on a 5.7 yards per carry average to go along with the two scores. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 9:54 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

New Orleans picked up a single first down in their first drive of the half, but a third-and-2 incompletion halted the Saints' opening drive of the half. Green Bay will start their first drive of the half at their own 16 up 21-0. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 9:53 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Rattler is just off the mark. The Packers defense is playing very well, but the rookie QB has also thrown some very inaccurate balls. This is a rough audition to possibly be the Saints QB of the future. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 9:38 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

The Packers dominated the half from start to finish. Three touchdowns on their first three drives, and they're winning the turnover battle 1-0. Green Bay is 30 minutes away from going to the postseason for the second year in a row and the fifth team in six seasons under head coach Matt LaFleur. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 9:31 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

This is a masterclass of how NOT to manage the clock to end a half by New Orleans. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 9:19 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Packers corner Keisean Nixon came flying in on a corner blitz, and he strip-sacked Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler. Green Bay edge rusher Rashan Gary jumped on the loose football for the game's first takeaway. The Packers offense will take the field at their own 34 up 21-0 with 2:45 left in the half. They have a chance to go up four scores before the break. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 9:15 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Pre-snap and operational penalties are not helping New Orleans' chances of keeping this competitive. They've already been penalized five times for 25 yards tonight. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 9:15 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Tonight marks the first time the Packers have scored a touchdown on each of their first three drives since 2020, Aaron Rodgers' first of two consecutive NFL MVP seasons under current head coach Matt LaFleur. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 9:13 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Over the last five games, the Saints held opponents to 16.6 points per game. Midway through the second quarter, the Packers have already slapped 21 on the board. This is getting away in a hurry. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 9:12 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Green Bay is on a roll. They scored their third touchdown on as many drives with backup running game Chris Brooks scoring his first career touchdown on a one-yard run. The Packers are racing toward looking up a spot in the postseason up 21-0 with 6:28 left in the first half.

[Dec 23, 2024 at 9:09 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

Packers running back Josh Jacobs' six games in a row with a rushing touchdown are tied for the most by a Green Bay player since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger. 

Most Consecutive Games with Rush TD
Packers since AFL/NFL Merger in 1970
2024 Josh Jacobs  6 <<
2007 Ryan Grant  6
1978 Terdell Middleton 6
<< active streak  

[Dec 23, 2024 at 8:57 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

The Packers are now two-for-two on their two possessions with two touchdowns. Their latest is a two-yard rushing score for Josh Jacobs. He now has a career-high 13 rushing touchdowns in 2024, which broke a tie with his 2022 total of 12, when he led the NFL in rushing yards. Jacobs also has a rushing touchdown in six consecutive games, the longest such streak of his career. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 8:54 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

The Saints have allowed the Packers to convert four of their six third-down situations and both of their fourth down attempts. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 8:51 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

 Green Bay goes with a quarterback sneak by Jordan Love on fourth and short after using a tight end QB sneak by Tucker Kraft to get an earlier third down conversion. Green Bay continues to march on their second drive up the game up 7-0. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 8:39 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Penalties on key downs have plagued New Orleans early. The false start took away an opportunity to go for it on fourth down, and a neutral zone infraction by the defense on the ensuing possession turned a third-and-6 into a third-and-1. As a two-touchdown dog, you can't have that if you want to keep this close. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 8:36 pm ET · Garrett Podell]

The Packers benefit from Spencer Rattler's inexperience on that final series. It appeared as though there was some sort of delay getting New Orleans' fourth down play call in and getting everyone lined up. The Packers start from their own four after a holding penalty on the Saints' punt. 

[Dec 23, 2024 at 8:32 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Seemed like there may have been some miscommunication between Rattler and Kevin Austin Jr. on that third down throw. Rattler expected him to sit on his route a little and fired it too far back toward his right shoulder. The ball falls incomplete, and a false start penalty erases the opportunity to go for it on fourth down.