GREEN BAY – The Packers secured their spot in the NFC playoff field with a dominant 34-0 victory over the Saints on Monday Night Football at Lambeau Field.

Here are five takeaways from the shutout:

1. That’s now five playoff berths in six seasons under head coach Matt LaFleur.

It’s not like there was a big celebration, because getting into the playoffs is just a goal, not the main goal. But the players certainly aren’t taking it for granted.

“Obviously the goal is the Super Bowl, so that’s the first step to making the playoffs,” quarterback Jordan Love said. “This was a big game to get this spot and I’m proud of the way we came out here and handled business. So it’s a big game.”

The Saints (5-10) were severely undermanned in this game and were never really in it, but it was as close to a complete performance over four quarters and three periods as the Packers (11-4) have put together this season. LaFleur sees the playoffs looming as a good sign.

The head coach also appreciated the opportunity to present outgoing President/CEO Mark Murphy with a game ball after Murphy was honored at halftime for his long, successful tenure.

“It’s really cool to be able to give Mark Murphy a game ball on his night,” LaFleur said. “He is first class through and through and of course I am forever grateful.”

2. The offensive picked up speed again early on.

A week after scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions in a road win at Seattle, the Packers scored touchdowns on their first three possessions against a Saints defense that had not allowed more than 21 points in any of its last five games.

Once again, Josh Jacobs set the tone by leading a collective 188-yard ground attack in which he and fellow running backs Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks each scored rushing touchdowns at the end of the game. Jacobs managed to break tackles and outarm defenders en route to 107 total yards (69 rushing, 38 receiving) and his team-leading 14th TD of the season, a record for a first-year Packers player.

“He’s definitely a workhorse for us and he definitely brings that momentum with the way he runs the ball,” Love said of Jacobs, whose night was over after the offense’s first drive of the second half was. “Like I said, he can do anything. Making guys miss, running guys over, stiff-arming guys, so I haven’t seen anything he can’t do.”

Jacobs had his best stiff arm of the season on the first drive, throwing aside Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu toward the end of a 20-yard run with 1 minute left.

Love (16 of 28, 182 yards, TD) also kept the ball moving, converting two fourth downs on the game’s second drive, which covered 96 yards in 17 plays and consumed 8:55 minutes, which is what every season stat would wish for Green Bay.

Love checked a QB sneak just over midfield on fourth-and-1 on that drive, and four plays later, tight end Tucker hit Kraft for 21 yards on fourth-and-2, with Jacobs running twice to cover the final 14 yards .

When Brooks finished the third drive with his TD, the Saints had two first downs and 21 yards of offense to the Packers’ 21 points.

“We came out of the gates the way we needed to,” LaFleur said.