The Green Bay Packers earned a playoff spot after a shutout win against the New Orleans Saints Monday night. The Packers have now solidified their NFC wild card spot with the 34-0 win.
This was the Packer’s fifth consecutive 30-plus point game. This was also the first shutout from Green Bay’s defense since 2021. The Packers are not fully healthy either. While the offense stalled a bit in the second half, it was an all-around dominant performance on both sides of the ball.
Keys to the Dominant Performance
The Ground Game
Green Bay’s ground game has been impressive all season because of the powerful running from Josh Jacobs. While Jacobs has been relied on heavily this year, the running back saw little action in the second half of the game Monday night. The Packers will look to preserve his health when possible and Monday night proved to be a great opportunity to do so.
Despite seeing little action in the second half, Jacobs’ stat line was still impressive. Jacobs put up 13 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown. Even though the Packers elected to preserve Jacobs in the second half, backup running backs Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson definitely pulled their weight. Chris Brooks had six carries for 23 yards and a touchdown while Emanuel Wilson carried the ball 11 times for 52 yards and a touchdown.
Chris Brooks’ rushing touchdown was the first of his career. Jacobs, Brooks and Wilson became the first Green Bay running back trio to score in the same game since 2009. Emanuel Wilson stated, “It’s pretty cool to see Chris get his first one; Josh is always going to get his. Getting mine just felt great.”
Josh Jacobs’ number was actually called upon in the second quarter, but he ultimately declined and requested that Chris Brooks earn his first career touchdown. Josh Jacobs has become a fan favorite free agency pick up by many. His character, and all-around angry running tendencies, are exactly what the Packers needed from him.
Defense Continues to Find Ways to Generate Turnovers/Pressure
This was the first shutout by Green Bay’s defense since 2021. This was also the first shutout in an NFL game this season. The Saints offense was definitely shorthanded, as the offense was forced to rely on rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler.
Not only that, but New Orleans was without star running back Alvin Kamara as well as wide receiver Chris Olave. The Saints did not have much to work with and the Packers took advantage of that.
Spencer Rattler completed just 15 of his 30 passes for 153 yards and an interception. Additionally, Rattler turned the ball over once more on a fumble caused by Packer’s cornerback Keisean Nixon. The lone interception was snagged by safety Zayne Anderson, the first of his career.
Not only was the secondary on top of their game, but the defensive line was too. The defensive front generated three sacks and found a way to generate pressure on Rattler most of the night.
The defense certainly set the tone for the night. Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley has continued to find a way for things to work even with multiple key players missing. The Packers were without rookie safeties Evan Williams and Javon Bullard on Monday, along with cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker Quay Walker.
The Packers defense under Jeff Hafley is ranked 6th in scoring defense this season. The defense has generated a whopping 43 sacks on the season so far which also puts them at 6th overall. The rush defense, which in years past has been atrocious, currently ranks 8th overall and allows an average of 102.5 yards per game.
The defense has generated 13 fumbles and has snagged 15 interceptions on the season. Jeff Hafley deserves recognition as this Packers defense is miles better than what fans have seen under previous defensive coordinators. Will this level of play continue throughout the remainder of the season and during the playoff run?
What’s Next?
On Sunday the Packers will travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings in hopes of grabbing the win to split the series. The Packers last played the Vikings in late September and found themselves in a 28-7 hole at halftime. Despite rallying back in the second half, the Vikings held on to win 31-29.
A win would prove that Green Bay is capable of hanging with one of the top teams in the NFC. Green Bay currently sits as the sixth seed, but a win would create a push for a chance at the fifth seed which is currently held by Minnesota.
In order to earn a win in a hostile environment, the Packers must continue to find the balance between the rushing and passing game on offense and avoid stalling out in the second half. The defense must generate pressure on Sam Darnold, who has been playing very clean football, and they must find a way to contain Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Despite this being an away game in a tough environment, I think Green Bay finds a way. Halfway through the season my prediction was 28-20. I think Green Bay keeps their streak of 30-plus point games alive. Give me Green Bay 33-27.
