If you were watching on December 23, 2024, you saw it. A total 34-0 demolition at Lambeau Field. The Green Bay Packers didn’t just win; they essentially erased the New Orleans Saints from the field for sixty minutes. Most folks look at a score like that and think it defines the relationship between these two franchises.
It doesn't. Not even close.
The New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers matchup is one of the weirdest, most "feast or famine" rivalries in the NFC. When they meet, someone usually gets embarrassed. There is rarely a middle ground. Since their first meeting in 1968, the Packers hold a 20-12 lead in the series, but the scoreboards tell a story of wild swings that would make a Vegas odds-maker sweat.
The Reality of the 2024 Shutout
Let’s be honest about that 34-0 game. New Orleans entered that Monday Night Football contest essentially as a walking infirmary. No Derek Carr. No Alvin Kamara. They were starting Spencer Rattler, a rookie who was basically thrown to the wolves against a Jeff Hafley defense that was playing, as some analysts put it, "with their hair on fire."
Green Bay’s pass rush generated a pressure rate of 52.6% that night. That is an absurd number. Rattler never had a chance. Meanwhile, Josh Jacobs was busy carving his name into the Packers' history books, racking up 107 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. It was his 14th score of that season, a new franchise record for a player in his first year with the team.
The Packers clinched a playoff spot with that win. The Saints? They headed home with a 5-10 record and a lot of questions about their future. But if you think this is a one-sided affair, you haven't been paying attention to the last twenty years.
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Why This Matchup Defies Logic
Historically, this game is where logic goes to die. In 2021, the Saints famously crushed the Packers 38-3 in a game that was moved to Jacksonville because of Hurricane Ida. Aaron Rodgers looked human. Jameis Winston looked like an MVP. Then, go back to 2005, and the Packers beat the Saints 52-3.
See the pattern?
- Packers Largest Win: 52-3 (2005)
- Saints Largest Win: 38-3 (2021)
- Most Recent Result: 34-0 Green Bay (2024)
It is almost like the universe refuses to let these two teams play a normal, 24-21 nail-biter. Even the close games are bizarre. In 2023, Jordan Love led a massive fourth-quarter comeback to win 18-17 after the Saints lost Derek Carr to a shoulder injury mid-game.
Looking Ahead to 2026
We already know they’re going to do it again. With the 2025 season in the rearview, the 2026 NFL schedule is crystallizing. Because the NFC North is matched up against the NFC South for the 2026 rotation, the Green Bay Packers are officially slated to travel back to New Orleans.
This is going to be a massive test for a Saints team that is currently in a state of flux. As of early 2026, the Saints are looking at a schedule where nearly half of their opponents—seven out of nine openings—have new head coaches. Kellen Moore is the man in charge in New Orleans now, and he’s facing a massive uphill battle to rebuild a roster that has struggled with cap space and aging veterans for years.
On the other side, the Packers are established. Jordan Love has moved past the "is he the guy?" phase and into the "how many MVPs can he win?" phase. By the time they meet in 2026, we’ll see if the Saints' youth movement, led by guys like Bryan Bresee and potentially a new franchise QB, can handle the Green Bay juggernaut.
Key Factors for the Next Meeting
- The Venue Factor: The Superdome is a house of horrors for visitors, but Green Bay has actually played well there historically. The indoor fast track usually favors the Packers' vertical passing game.
- Roster Turnover: By 2026, many of the faces from the Brees/Payton era will be completely gone. We are firmly in the Moore/Rattler (or successor) era.
- Defensive Identity: Jeff Hafley’s defense in Green Bay has proven it can travel. Whether the Saints can protect their quarterback will be the only thing that matters.
The Forgotten Legends of the Rivalry
People talk about Rodgers vs. Brees, and for good reason. Those two combined for some of the highest-scoring games in NFL history. Who could forget the 2011 season opener? A 42-34 shootout where the Saints were stopped on the one-yard line on the final play of the game.
But it’s also the small moments. It’s Randall Cobb making his debut in that same 2011 game and returning a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown. It’s Keisean Nixon’s strip-sack in the 2024 shutout that reminded everyone why special teams aces can be defensive game-changers.
The Saints vs Packers history isn't just about stats; it's about momentum. Green Bay once had a 14-game winning streak in this series. New Orleans once countered with their own dominant stretches. It is a rivalry of eras.
What to Watch For Next
If you're a betting person or just a die-hard fan, don't let the 2024 blowout fool you. The Saints have a habit of punching back when they’ve been embarrassed. Heading into the 2026 season, keep an eye on the Saints' draft strategy. They need offensive line help desperately if they want to avoid another 34-0 disaster.
For the Packers, the challenge is maintaining the standard. They are no longer the hunters; they are the hunted. Traveling to New Orleans is never easy, especially when the Saints have a chip on their shoulder from their last meeting.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Injury Report: This series is almost always decided by who is not on the field. The 2023 and 2024 games were both swung by Saints injuries.
- Check the 2026 Calendar: The official dates will drop in May, but the Saints will host this one. If it’s a primetime game, expect a much closer contest than the last one.
- Monitor the Coaching Carousel: With the Saints facing so many new head coaches in 2026, their ability to adapt to new schemes will be the deciding factor in whether they can compete with a stable team like Green Bay.
Keep your eyes on the NFC South standings as the 2026 preseason approaches. The Saints' path back to relevance goes through the gauntlet of the NFC North, and the Packers are the gatekeepers.