Green Bay Shuts Down New Orleans
The Green Bay Packers gave all the Cheeseheads a stress-free night with a 34-0 blowout over the New Orleans Saints, securing their playoff spot. Normally, fans in green and gold are on the verge of a heart attack at some point in the game, but this one was a perfect blood thinner. The Packers showed the league what it looks like when a top contender dominates a bottom-of-the-barrel team. Sure, the game lost some excitement once the Saints were clearly out of it, but here's what you should take away from this primetime win.
The Running Back Depth Is Solid
Josh Jacobs has been carrying the load all season, and against the Saints' awful run defense, the Packers came in with a clear game plan: run it down their throat. Jacobs did exactly that, and then some. He racked up 69 yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries, bulldozing through defenders like they were ragdolls. After a dominant first half, Jacobs sat out most of the second half, allowing the backups to take over and close out the game. Both Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson found the end zone, proving they're more than capable of stepping up when needed.
Jordan Love Has a Little Homework to Do
Quarterback Jordan Love didn’t have a bad game by any means, but when everything is clicking, it’s easier to spot the less-than-perfect moments. On the third drive of the game, Love hit Tucker Kraft to convert a fourth down, which wasn’t a bad play at all. However, he did miss a wide-open Christian Watson on what could’ve been a walk-in touchdown. It’s nitpicking since the Packers still scored on the drive, but it’s worth mentioning. In the second half, Love did overthrow a few passes as he looked for the kill shot. Overall, his performance wasn’t bad, but there were moments that, against a more polished opponent, could come back to bite them. Plus, with the playoffs now secured, those tougher teams are just around the corner.
Green Bay Found Their Kicker
Not that the past few weeks haven't already proven it, but Brandon McManus is the man. He’s made every extra point and is 16-of-17 on field goals, with one miss coming on a windy day. In this game, he converted two field goals, including a 46-yarder and a 55-yarder. The Packers have gone through more than their fair share of kickers since Mason Crosby, but McManus has solidified that confidence with his consistent performances. Now, Matt LaFleur can trust him to get the job done when needed.
Green Bay has plenty to celebrate, with their first shutout of the season and a playoff berth already secured. However, now, the focus has shifted to their division rival, the Minnesota Vikings, who have also clinched a spot in the playoffs. The Vikings handed the Packers a loss earlier in the season, so this game will be a key test of how much Green Bay has improved since then. With the playoffs locked in, every win counts toward setting up favorable matchups, and the Lions or Vikings could very well be future postseason opponents.
