Just 11 months ago, Jeff Hafley gave up a head-coaching job at Boston College to lead the Packers’ defense. On Monday night at Lambeau Field, his unit authored the NFL’s first shutout in the league’s 240th game as Green Bay humbled New Orleans, 34-0.
The Packers (11-4) forced two turnovers, notched three sacks and held the Saints (5-10) to just 196 total yards while Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks each rushed for touchdowns. Jordan Love was 16 of 28 for 182 yards with no interceptions and an early touchdown toss to Dontayvion Wicks before the quarterback bowed out for backup Malik Willis.
Green Bay clinched its fifth playoff berth in six seasons since Matt LaFleur became head coach and picked up important momentum heading into an NFC showdown at Minnesota (13-2) on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX). Afterward with Scott Van Pelt, Jacobs tipped his cap to his defensive teammates.
“They’re playing like a playoff defense right now,” said Jacobs, who had 69 yards on 13 carries before LaFleur pulled him in the second half. “You know it’s in this league it’s hard to donut somebody. For them to come out and play this fast, and then you got guys who are maybe not starters but they’re playing big roles, and they’re making plays. I think the sky’s the limit for this defense.”
The limit for the Saints on Monday was the Packers’ 20-yard line. On the only two occasions in which New Orleans neared that stripe, Green Bay ended the drives with takeaways, Keisean Nixon‘s second-quarter strip-sack followed by a Rashan Gary recovery, and Zayne Anderson‘s third-quarter interception.
That defense will enter Week 17 with the ninth-fewest yards allowed per game (320.4) and the eight-fewest points (20.5). Safety Xavier McKinney is tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions and Green Bay ranks fifth in the NFL with 26 takeaways. Meanwhile on offense, Love hasn’t thrown an interception over his last five games and Jacobs leads the NFL since Week 11 with 10 rushing touchdowns, three more than Josh Allen and Saquon Barkley, who each have seven in that span.
According to ESPN Analytics, the Packers have a 45-percent chance to finish as the No. 6 seed in the NFC, meaning they would travel to meet the conference’s No. 3 team. Green Bay has a 26-percent shot at the No. 5 seed and a 28-percent chance at the seventh spot.
The Packers, who now have an NFL-best seven wins without trailing in the game, will return to Lambeau Field in Week 18 to host Chicago (4-11).
For more information on the Packers and Saints, visit the Green Bay and New Orleans team pages at ProFootballPost.com.
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