Packers clinch playoff berth with 1st shutout in NFL this season, 34-0 over Saints

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — With a dominant protection main the best way, the Inexperienced Bay Packers clinched a playoff berth by producing their most lopsided win in a decade.

Josh Jacobs gained 107 yards from scrimmage and scored a landing for a sixth straight sport because the Packers recorded the primary shutout of the NFL season, 34-0 over the hapless New Orleans Saints on Monday night time.

“Clearly the aim is Tremendous Bowl,” stated quarterback Jordan Love, who went 16 of 28 for 182 yards and a landing. “That’s step one proper right here, to make the playoffs. Clearly this was a big-time sport, to clinch that spot. I’m happy with the best way we got here on the market and dealt with enterprise.”

Inexperienced Bay (11-4) secured its fifth postseason look in six years with its first shutout since beating Seattle 17-0 on Nov. 14, 2021. The Saints (5-10) had been blanked for the primary time since falling 13-0 to San Francisco on Nov. 27, 2022.

New Orleans performed with out injured quarterback Derek Carr and working again Alvin Kamara. Rookie Spencer Rattler began at quarterback and went 15 of 30 for 153 yards with an interception and a fumble.

“We dressed the 48 guys that we dressed,” Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi stated. “We’re not going to make excuses. You guys know me properly sufficient by now. I’m not going to make excuses about that. We didn’t carry out properly sufficient.”

Inexperienced Bay’s margin of victory was its largest since a 55-14 blowout of the Chicago Bears on Nov. 9, 2014.

“A shutout within the NFL is the toughest factor to do, and to do it on prime time is even more durable,” Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon stated. “To clinch a playoff berth doing that may be a hell of a deal.”

The Packers have gained 9 of their final 11 video games, with their solely losses throughout that stretch coming to the NFC North rival Detroit Lions. They’ll enter the playoffs as a wild card after being eradicated from NFC North title rivalry Sunday.

Jacobs ran for 69 yards and a 2-yard landing on 13 carries to steer Inexperienced Bay’s 188-yard dashing assault. He additionally caught 4 passes for 38 yards.

Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson had 1-yard landing runs, Dontayvion Wicks had a 2-yard TD catch, and Brandon McManus kicked discipline targets from 55 and 46 yards.

Inexperienced Bay’s protection made it a depressing night time for Rattler whereas lacking 4 starters due to accidents: linebacker and main tackler Quay Walker, cornerback Jaire Alexander and safeties Evan Williams and Javon Bullard. Security Zayne Anderson had an interception in his first profession begin.

“What’s actually cool is we’re getting contributions from loads of completely different folks,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur stated. “I feel that’s often the mark of an excellent group.”

The Packers scored touchdowns on every of their first three possessions.

Love discovered Wicks on third-and-goal to cap the sport’s opening drive. Wicks’ landing was his fifth of the season and first since Oct. 20 in opposition to Houston.

Jacobs’ landing capped a 17-play, 96-yard drive that lasted 8:55. It was the Packers’ longest possession of the season by way of performs and time. The Packers additionally had a 96-yard march of their 24-19 overcome the Los Angeles Rams.

The drive included two fourth-down conversions. Love had a 2-yard sneak on fourth-and-1 from the New Orleans 45 to open the second quarter. Love then threw a 14-yard completion to Tucker Kraft on fourth-and-2 from the 35.

Jacobs has rushed for a landing in six straight video games, placing him one away from the longest such streak in Packers historical past. Paul Hornung had a landing run in seven consecutive video games in 1960.

Brooks’ first profession landing made it 21-0 with 6:28 left within the second quarter. McManus kicked each of his discipline targets within the second half.

Wilson capped the scoring with 2:41 left on a drive engineered by backup quarterback Malik Willis.

“We lastly put an entire sport collectively,” Jacobs stated. “That’s one thing that we’ve been looking because the starting of the season. It simply looks like our ceiling simply retains going up.”

Accidents

Saints C Erik McCoy left with an elbow damage. Saints LG Lucas Patrick received damage within the closing minutes. Packers WR Christian Watson damage a knee.

“There’s some concern there, actually,” LaFleur stated of Watson’s damage. “We’re going to get some extra testing accomplished (Tuesday).”

Up subsequent

Saints: Host Las Vegas on Sunday.

Packers: Go to Minnesota on Sunday.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl