Josh Jacobs continued his impressive streak by gaining 107 yards from scrimmage and scoring a touchdown for the sixth consecutive game as the Green Bay Packers secured a spot in the playoffs with a dominant 34-0 victory over the struggling New Orleans Saints on Monday night.
The win improved Green Bay’s record to 11-4, marking their fifth playoff appearance in the last six years. It also marked the first shutout of the NFL season for Green Bay since their 17-0 win over Seattle on November 14, 2021. On the other side, the Saints dropped to 5-10 and were held scoreless for the first time since a 13-0 defeat to San Francisco on November 27, 2022.
The Saints were hampered by the absence of quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara, with rookie Spencer Rattler stepping in. Rattler struggled, completing 15 of 30 passes for 153 yards with an interception and a fumble.
Green Bay’s resounding victory, by a margin of 34 points, was their largest since a 55-14 demolition of the Chicago Bears on November 9, 2014. The Packers have been in excellent form, winning nine of their last 11 games, with their only defeats during that stretch coming against the NFC North rival Detroit Lions. Despite their strong finish to the regular season, the Packers will enter the playoffs as a wild card team after being eliminated from contention for the NFC North title on Sunday.
Josh Jacobs was a standout performer for the Packers, rushing for 69 yards and a 1-yard touchdown on 13 carries while also contributing with four receptions for 38 yards. Quarterback Jordan Love had a solid outing, completing 16 of 28 passes for 182 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown to Dontayvion Wicks. Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson added rushing touchdowns from 1 yard out each, and Brandon McManus was successful with field goals from 55 and 46 yards.
Despite missing four defensive starters due to injuries, including linebacker Quay Walker, cornerback Jaire Alexander, and safeties Evan Williams and Javon Bullard, Green Bay’s defense put in a dominant performance. Safety Zayne Anderson made an interception in his first career start, contributing to the shutout.
The Packers wasted no time asserting their dominance, scoring touchdowns on each of their first three possessions. Love connected with Wicks for a touchdown on third-and-goal to cap off the opening drive. Jacobs’ touchdown came after a grueling 17-play, 96-yard drive that consumed 8 minutes and 55 seconds, the Packers’ longest possession of the season in terms of both plays and time.
Jacobs’ touchdown extended his streak of scoring a rushing touchdown in six consecutive games, leaving him just one shy of the Packers’ record for the longest such streak set by Paul Hornung in 1960.
