Saints achieve unwanted first as Packers record feat even Andy Reid and the Chiefs haven’t been able to
It took 240 games, but the New Orleans Saints have become the first NFL team to be shutout this season. On Monday night, the injury hit team stood little chance against the Green Bay Packers, and were playing without starting quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara. The Packers bullied the Saints at Lambeau Field on Monday nightGetty New Orleans were also missing their top wide receiver Chris Olave and tight end Taysom Hill. With so many key players sidelined, the game appeared a mismatch long before kick off, and that’s exactly what transpired. Green Bay won 34-0 at frigid Lambeau Field to secure their spot in the playoffs in emphatic fashion. The NFL went a record 15 weeks and 15 games without a shutout before the Packers kept the Saints off the scoreboard. It was the first shutout since Week 18 of the 2023 season, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blanked the Carolina Panthers, 9-0. The Packers’ domination is certainly a good sign ahead of the postseason, as not even Andy Reid and the three-peat-chasing Kansas City Chiefs have managed to keep their opponents off the scoreboard this year. Green Bay last held a team to zero points in 2021, during a 17-0 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. That season, they went on to make the playoffs, where they were beaten in the Divisional round by the San Francisco 49ers. But this time around, things feel different. Monday night’s performance was a testament to a much improved Packers defense that entered Week 16 ranked ninth in yards allowed per game (321.8) and eighth in points per game (20.3). Green Bay’s defense dominated against the Saints on Monday nightGetty They held the Spencer Rattler-led Saints to just 196 yards of offense, and a good portion of those yards were gained with the contest long over – during ‘garbage time’. “We’ve known this all along, the defense is a lot different this year,” Packers quarterback Jordan Love said post-game. “They’ve been making some big-time plays all year long. Anytime you can hold somebody to zero points in the National Football League is pretty awesome.” Green Bay’s dominant win secured them a second straight trip to the playoffs. With a record of 11-4, the Packers will still struggle to claim a very competitive NFC North title, with the Detroit Lions (13-2) and Minnesota Vikings (13-2) ahead of them. But they are still in play for the NFC’s top Wild Card berth, which would provide the most ideal match up in the Super Wild Card Round. Love threw for one touchdown in Green Bay’s shutoutGetty Green Bay’s defense could be key to a deep playoff runGetty The Packers face their divisional rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, next Sunday. “We got a big test next week to go on the road in a short week with a holiday,” head coach Matt LaFleur said. “It’s never easy, especially, going into Minnesota. It’s one of the tougher places to play, against a team that’s playing as good as anybody in the NFL. So, we’ve got to flip the script here really quickly and get on to the Vikings.” The Saints’ season, meanwhile, is all but over. As well as being the first team to be shutout in the NFL this season, they have a record of 5-10, and have already been eliminated from playoff contention. talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, and you can stay up to date with all the latest from around the league via our dedicated ‘EndZone’ YouTube channel.
It took 240 games, but the New Orleans Saints have become the first NFL team to be shutout this season.
On Monday night, the injury hit team stood little chance against the Green Bay Packers, and were playing without starting quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara.
New Orleans were also missing their top wide receiver Chris Olave and tight end Taysom Hill.
With so many key players sidelined, the game appeared a mismatch long before kick off, and that’s exactly what transpired.
Green Bay won 34-0 at frigid Lambeau Field to secure their spot in the playoffs in emphatic fashion.
The NFL went a record 15 weeks and 15 games without a shutout before the Packers kept the Saints off the scoreboard.
It was the first shutout since Week 18 of the 2023 season, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blanked the Carolina Panthers, 9-0.
The Packers’ domination is certainly a good sign ahead of the postseason, as not even Andy Reid and the three-peat-chasing Kansas City Chiefs have managed to keep their opponents off the scoreboard this year.
Green Bay last held a team to zero points in 2021, during a 17-0 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
That season, they went on to make the playoffs, where they were beaten in the Divisional round by the San Francisco 49ers.
But this time around, things feel different.
Monday night’s performance was a testament to a much improved Packers defense that entered Week 16 ranked ninth in yards allowed per game (321.8) and eighth in points per game (20.3).
They held the Spencer Rattler-led Saints to just 196 yards of offense, and a good portion of those yards were gained with the contest long over – during ‘garbage time’.
“We’ve known this all along, the defense is a lot different this year,” Packers quarterback Jordan Love said post-game.
“They’ve been making some big-time plays all year long. Anytime you can hold somebody to zero points in the National Football League is pretty awesome.”
Green Bay’s dominant win secured them a second straight trip to the playoffs.
With a record of 11-4, the Packers will still struggle to claim a very competitive NFC North title, with the Detroit Lions (13-2) and Minnesota Vikings (13-2) ahead of them.
But they are still in play for the NFC’s top Wild Card berth, which would provide the most ideal match up in the Super Wild Card Round.
The Packers face their divisional rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, next Sunday.
“We got a big test next week to go on the road in a short week with a holiday,” head coach Matt LaFleur said.
“It’s never easy, especially, going into Minnesota. It’s one of the tougher places to play, against a team that’s playing as good as anybody in the NFL. So, we’ve got to flip the script here really quickly and get on to the Vikings.”
The Saints’ season, meanwhile, is all but over.
As well as being the first team to be shutout in the NFL this season, they have a record of 5-10, and have already been eliminated from playoff contention.
talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, and you can stay up to date with all the latest from around the league via our dedicated ‘EndZone’ YouTube channel.
