The Green Bay Packers can officially clinch a playoff spot in the NFC field for the fifth time in six seasons under coach Matt LaFleur and for the second time in as many years of the Jordan Love era with a win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday night at Lambeau Field.
The Packers are big betting favorites against the short-handed Saints. Can LaFleur’s team get the job done at home in primetime?
Follow along with Packers Wire for live updates and highlights from Packers vs. Saints in Week 16:
Final score: Packers 34, Saints 0
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| NO (5-10) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GB (11-4) | 7 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 34 |
Live scoring
First quarter
GB 7, NO 0: Dontayvion Wicks 2-yard catch (8:41)
Second quarter
GB 14, NO 0: Josh Jacobs 2-yard run (11:43)
GB 21, NO 0: Chris Brooks 1-yard run (0:32)
Third quarter
GB 24, NO 0: Brandon McManus 55-yard field goal (7:03)
Fourth quarter
GB 27, NO 0: Brandon McManus 46-yard field goal (7:13)
GB 34, NO 0: Emanuel Wilson 1-yard run (2:41)
Updates, highlights
Packers without four defensive starters: The Saints are lacking a ton of firepower on offense, including quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara, but the Packers will be without four starters on defense: linebacker Quay Walker, cornerback Jaire Alexander, defensive back Javon Bullard and safety Evan Williams are all inactive with injuries. This could be a good test for Jeff Hafley’s unexpectedly short-handed defense. The Saints will start rookie Spencer Rattler at quarterback.
Packers open with TD: Jordan Love completed four passes, Josh Jacobs produced 40 total yards and Dontayvion Wicks finished off the 63-yard march with a 2-yard touchdown catch. The 10-play drive took over six minutes and required two third-down conversions. Like last week, the Packers lead 7-0 after one drive.
Off to a fast start!#ProBowlVote + #JordanLove#ProBowlVote + #DontayvionWicks pic.twitter.com/D9d0ye95mF
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 24, 2024
Packers go on marathon TD drive: The Packers took a 14-0 lead after driving 96 yards in 17 plays. Green Bay converted two third downs and two fourth downs, and Josh Jacobs finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. Matt LaFleur’s team is cruising.
:SpongeBob voice:
"Scoring TDs… at night."#ProBowlVote + #JoshJacobs pic.twitter.com/ygynveb6Kr
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 24, 2024
Packers in control: A third drive meant a third touchdown. Chris Brooks scored a 1-yard touchdown to put the Packers up 21-0. Six plays, 67 yards. Christian Watson turned two touches into 23 yards, and Tucker Kraft had a 30-yard catch.
And now a takeaway: The Packers defense is pitching a shutout through three drives. The Saints third possession entered Green Bay territory but Keisean Nixon ended it with a strip-sack. Rashan Gary won the race to the fumble.
Applying pressure and creating turnovers! #ProBowlVote + KeiseanNixon#ProBowlVote + #RashanGary pic.twitter.com/aldwnksUge
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 24, 2024
McManus good from 55: Veteran kicker Brandon McManus booted home a 55-yard field goal — during a night game at Lambeau Field in December — to give the Packers a 24-0 lead. That’s a big-time kick. McManus has been a huge in-season addition.
Another takeaway: The Packers got a second turnover off Spencer Rattler and preserved the shutout (for now) when Zayne Anderson — making his first career start — grabbed his first career interception.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1871393795570307182
Another McManus FG: Jayden Reed’s 37-yard catch on third down extended the drive and set up another field goal from Brandon McManus, this time from 46 yards out. The Packers lead 27-0 in the fourth quarter. It’s playoff clinching time at Lambeau Field.
Game over: Malik Willis hit Jayden Reed for another 30-yard completion, and Emanuel Wilson powered into the end zone to extend the Packers’ lead to 34-0. Game, set, match. The Packers will be 11-4.
