The Green Bay Packers are 11-4 and heading into the playoffs, dominating the New Orleans Saints after a 34-0 overtime victory Monday night at Lambeau Field.
Matt LaFleur’s team scored on three straight possessions to take a 21-0 lead in the first half, and Jeff Hafley’s defense did the rest, securing the first shutout of the 2024 NFL season with two scores and two fourth-down stops.
The Packers, who were huge favorites with bookmakers, did what was expected: they dominated their short-handed opponent from start to finish.
Here are the good, the bad and the ugly from the Packers’ win over the Saints:
Good
Beginning: The Packers had touchdown runs of 63, 96 and 67 to start the game. Josh Jacobs dominated, Jordan Love created explosive plays, and the Packers offense consistently converted on third or fourth down and in the red zone. It was the Packers’ best game. For the second week in a row, the Packers scored three or more points in a row to open the game and take a three-point lead.
Defense: Jeff Hafley’s group didn’t allow a point or even a trip to the red zone against nine Saints, prompting the Packers’ first shutout of the 2024 season and the Packers’ first shutout since 2021. And while the Saints were lacking on offense, the Packers were missing four of their preferred starters. New Orleans finished the contest with 196 total yards and only 67 rushing yards.
Next playoff position: The Packers will play in the postseason for the second straight year under Jordan Love and for the fifth time in six years under Matt LaFleur. Is this the year Titletown ends its Super Bowl drought? The Packers are 11-4 overall, but will face an uphill battle as a wild card team in a loaded NFC. They look like a well-balanced football team that can win in a number of ways and are starting to play their best football towards the end of the season.
Badly
The beginning of the second half of love: The Packers passing game calmed down significantly early in the second half. Love completed just two of his first seven passes for a total of six yards before hitting Jayden Reed for a 37-yard score with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Despite a powerful start, Love completed 16 of 28 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown. He had no turnovers, but the Saints dropped a pick on a batted ball. Love’s passer rating was just 88.1, snapping a five-game streak of 100.0 or higher.
Ugly
Christian Watson injury: Watson injured his knee overdue in a run in the first half and had to leave the game after briefly returning to try and fix the problem. Coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged there are concerns about the severity of the injury, but further testing is required Tuesday. Watson rushed for 23 yards twice and was open several times on Monday night. Losing him before the postseason would be a major blow to an offense that has been on fire since the bye, with Watson playing explosively.
