If you were looking for a tight, back-and-forth battle when the New Orleans Saints headed north to Wisconsin, honestly, you were probably disappointed. What we got instead was a clinical, cold-blooded dismantling. When people search for the green bay packers saints score, they aren't just looking for digits on a screen; they’re usually trying to figure out how a professional NFL team got held to a big fat zero.
The final was 34-0. A total shutout.
It wasn't just that the Packers won; it was how they did it. This was a "statement game" for Matt LaFleur’s squad, clinching a playoff berth and moving them to 11-4 at the time. Meanwhile, the Saints were left searching for answers in a season that was already slipping through their fingers.
The Numbers Behind the Blowout
Let’s be real, a shutout in the modern NFL is basically a unicorn. With the way rules favor offenses now, keeping a team off the scoreboard for 60 minutes is absurdly difficult. But on that Monday night, Green Bay’s defense looked like they were playing with 13 men on the field.
The Saints were hobbled, sure. No Derek Carr. No Alvin Kamara. No Chris Olave. Basically, the entire engine of their offense was in the training room. Rookie Spencer Rattler got the start, and it went about as well as you’d expect for a rookie in December at Lambeau.
📖 Related: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
- Final Score: Green Bay Packers 34, New Orleans Saints 0
- Total Yards: Packers 404, Saints 196
- Time of Possession: Green Bay held the ball for over 37 minutes.
- Turnovers: Saints turned it over twice (an INT by Zayne Anderson and a fumble).
Jordan Love didn't even have to be a superhero. He was efficient, going 16-of-28 for 182 yards and a touchdown to Dontayvion Wicks. He didn't force things because he didn't have to. When your run game is churning out nearly 200 yards, a quarterback can just sit back and manage the clock.
Why the Green Bay Packers Saints Score Was Never Close
Green Bay started the game like they had a plane to catch. They scored touchdowns on their first three possessions. That’s the first time the Packers have done that in four years. By the time the Saints' defense caught their breath, they were down 21-0.
Josh Jacobs was the engine. He put up 107 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone, setting a franchise record for the most touchdowns by a player in their first year with the team. 14 touchdowns in one season? That's insane for a guy people thought might be past his prime when he left Vegas.
The Saints' offense, on the other hand, was stuck in second gear. Or maybe neutral. Rattler finished 15-of-30 for 153 yards. He was actually their leading rusher with 28 yards, which tells you everything you need to know about how the Packers' front seven played. They absolutely erased New Orleans' run game, holding Kendre Miller to just 15 yards on 8 carries.
👉 See also: Mizzou 2024 Football Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
A Defensive Masterclass
We have to talk about Jeff Hafley’s defense. For years, Packers fans complained about soft coverages and lack of aggression. That night? They were flies on a rib roast.
Keisean Nixon came on a blitz and forced a strip-sack. Zayne Anderson, who was only starting because Evan Williams was hurt, snagged a beautiful interception. Even Devonte Wyatt got in on the action with a sack late in the half. Every time the Saints got even remotely close to scoring territory, the Packers slammed the door.
Key Moments You Might Have Missed
While the green bay packers saints score suggests a boring game, there were some nuances that matter for the long term.
- The Tucker Kraft "Sneak": Early on, the Packers showed a look where tight end Tucker Kraft motioned under center and took a sneak for a first down. It’s that kind of creative play-calling that makes this offense so hard to prepare for.
- Brandon McManus' Leg: People forget that special teams win championships. McManus nailed a 55-yarder in the third quarter. In a 34-0 game, it didn't "matter," but in a playoff game in January? That range is vital.
- The Watson Injury: It wasn't all sunshine. Christian Watson left with a knee injury. While the Packers got "good news" later that it wasn't season-ending, it's a reminder of how fragile this roster's depth can be when the stars go down.
What This Score Meant for Both Teams
For the Packers, this was the "we’re for real" moment. Clinching a playoff spot with a shutout is the ultimate momentum builder. They proved they could win without Jordan Love throwing for 400 yards and four scores. They won with grit, a dominant run game, and a defense that actually tackled.
✨ Don't miss: Current Score of the Steelers Game: Why the 30-6 Texans Blowout Changed Everything
For the Saints, it was a harsh reality check. Falling to 5-10 with a shutout loss on national television is a tough pill to swallow. It highlighted the massive gap between a team with a clear identity and a team struggling with injuries and a lack of depth.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're tracking the Packers moving forward, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Run Distribution: Josh Jacobs is the bell cow, but Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks both scored in this game. The Packers are much more dangerous when they use all three backs to keep legs fresh.
- The Turnover Margin: Green Bay is at its best when they are +2 or better in turnovers. Their secondary is getting more aggressive under the new defensive scheme.
- Red Zone Efficiency: Scoring touchdowns on those first three drives was huge. If the Packers settle for field goals in the playoffs, they won't go far. Watch if they continue to be aggressive on 3rd-and-short near the goal line.
The 34-0 green bay packers saints score will go down as one of the most dominant performances of the Matt LaFleur era. It wasn't just a win; it was a demolition that signaled the Packers were ready for the postseason grind.