The Saints had a first Monday night: They became the first team to be shutout in the NFL this season.
The NFL went a record 15 weeks and 15 games without a shutout before the Packers kept the Saints off the scoreboard, winning 34-0. The Packers moved to 11-4 and are headed to the postseason, while the Saints fell to 5-10.
Without their starting quarterback (Derek Carr), their top running back (Alvin Kamara), their best receiver (Chris Olave), their second-best receiver (Rashid Shaheed) and their best weapon (Taysom Hill), the Saints had no chance. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler made his fourth start in place of Derek Carr and threw to wide receivers Dante Pettis, Kevin Austin, Cedrick Wilson and Mason Tipton and handed off to Kendre Miller, Jordan Mims and Jamaal Williams.
It was every bit the mismatch it appeared beforehand.
The Packers outgained the Saints 404 to 196 and had two takeaways of Rattler, who went 12-of-23 for 135 yards with an interception and a lost fumble. The Saints had four possessions in Green Bay territory, with Rattler’s fumble coming at the Packers 29 and his interception at the Green Bay 22.
The Packers scored touchdowns on their first three possessions and led 21-0 at halftime before Brandon McManus field goals of 55 and 46 yards in the second half gave them a 27-0 lead.
Jordan Love went 16-of-28 for 182 yards and a touchdown before leaving in the fourth quarter of the blowout. Malik Willis played the final 5:44 and led the Packers to another touchdown.
Green Bay had nine players with at least one carry and gained 188 rushing yards. Chris Brooks had a 1-yard touchdown run, Josh Jacobs a 2-yard touchdown run and Emanuel Wilson a 1-yard run.
Dontayvion Wicks scored the team’s first touchdown on a 2-yard touchdown reception from Love.
Seven different players had a reception for the Packers.
Jacobs 69 yards on 13 carries and caught four passes for 38 yards.
Read the full article here
