1. Introduction
Okay, let’s talk about that brutal beatdown when the New Orleans Saints took on the Green Bay Packers. This was an NFL Week 16 game back on December 23, 2024, right there in the chilly mess of Lambeau Field up in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers were pushing hard for playoffs, and the Saints? They were dealing with a ton of banged-up players. These squads have gone at it before – like that crazy 2021 kickoff where New Orleans hammered them 38-3. But Green Bay’s been on a roll lately, taking four out of the last five meetings. For the Packers, this one was huge; a win meant locking in a postseason berth, and they straight-up dominated from start to finish.
2. Match Summary
Packers rolled 34-0, no mercy. They scored right away on the first few possessions and kept the Saints scoreless the whole time – first shutout of the ’24 season. Big moments? That early TD drive got things going, then this epic 17-play, 96-yard haul in the second quarter that just drained New Orleans. No real drama with refs or anything, but the Saints shot themselves in the foot with flags and giveaways.
Green Bay’s offense clicked on all cylinders, piling up more than 400 yards, while the Saints barely scraped 200. Their D was locked in, snagging two turnovers and shutting down any explosiveness. First half: Packers up 21-0 with steady marches downfield. Second half: More field goals to build the lead, capped by another score. Saints had zero rhythm, especially missing guys like Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara.
3. Key Highlights
Highlights were pretty much Packers-only territory. Sweet TDs: Jordan Love zipped a 2-yarder to Dontayvion Wicks to break the ice, Josh Jacobs barreled in from 2 yards, and Chris Brooks shoved over from 1 to make it 21-zip at the break. Emanuel Wilson added a 1-yard dive late.
Defense-wise, Green Bay popped off with three sacks and a pick that ended a Saints push. They stripped Spencer Rattler too. Special teams? Brandon McManus drilled a 55-yard bomb in the third – his farthest of the game – and didn’t miss a beat. No crazy records, but this was the Packers’ fattest win in years, first blank sheet since ’21. Saints had a few decent grabs, like Foster Moreau’s 21-yarder, but it led nowhere.
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4. Player Stats – New Orleans Saints
Spencer Rattler stepped in for hurt Carr and had a nightmare: 15/30 for 153 yards, zero scores, one pick, sacked three times. He did run for 28 on five scrambles, at least.
Backs without Kamara? Quiet night. Kendre Miller topped with 8 carries for 15 (long 10), caught two for 16. Jordan Mims: 4 rushes for 16, five grabs for another 16. Jamaal Williams: 3 for 8.
Receivers and TEs: Moreau with 2/33 (long 21). Dante Pettis 2/31 (long 20). Juwan Johnson 2/27 (long 17). Kevin Austin 1/17 but coughed it up (they got it back). Cedrick Wilson Jr. 1/13.
D had 70 tackles total but no heat – no sacks, no picks. Three TFLs, but couldn’t stop the run. Best Saint? Slim pickings, but Rattler’s legs kept some stuff alive – he’s the pick in a loss like that.
5. Player Stats – Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love was on point, 16/28 for 182, one TD, clean sheet on picks – smart throws when it counted. Malik Willis mopped up 1/2 for 34.
RBs owned: Jacobs 13/69 rush, TD (long 20), plus 4/38 receiving. Wilson 11/52, TD (long 17). Brooks 6/23, TD.
Receivers: Jayden Reed 3/76 (long 37). Tucker Kraft (TE) 3/63 (long 30). Romeo Doubs 2/20. Wicks 3/13, that TD catch.
D-line and unit: 54 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 TFLs, 1 INT, forced two fumbles (got one). Constant hassle. Star? Jacobs – 107 all-purpose yards, TD in his sixth straight. Dude’s rolling.
6. Team Comparison
Straight up, Packers smoked ’em: 404 yards to 196, no turnovers vs two, 24 first downs to 14. Held the ball 37:13 to 22:47. Third downs 6/13 and 3/3 on fourth for GB; Saints 4/11 and 0/2.
Packers strong on ground and D; long drives broke New Orleans. Saints’ line fell apart without pieces, D couldn’t plug holes. Green Bay mixed runs and passes perfectly, Saints were stuck in mud from injuries.
7. Expert Reactions & Fan Buzz
After, LaFleur hyped his crew for the team shutout. Rizzi for Saints owned it: “No excuses, we flat-out didn’t show up.” Rattler said it sucked but he’d grow from it.
Pundits loving Packers as NFC threats, hitting stride. Social? Green Bay fans wild with shutout memes, one blew up like “Playoff leap at Lambeau!” Saints crowd furious, #FireEveryone trending. Even outsiders saw injuries killed NO, but GB’s D was chef’s kiss.
8. What’s Next?
Saints (5-10 now) get Raiders (3-12) at home Sunday – should win, but gotta fix quick. This killed any playoff dreams, sinking ’em in South.
Packers (11-4) at Vikes next – big NFC North scrap for seeds. Win seals wild card, chasing more. Eye Jacobs’ TD run, Rattler if Carr’s out.
9. Conclusion
Packers made a loud statement, clinching playoffs with total control. Love, Jacobs shined; Saints crumbled under hurts and mistakes. Rough for NO faithful, but hats off to Green Bay’s clinic.
Thoughts? Packers deep dive? Saints rebound? Hit comments!
