GREEN BAY – The Packers’ defense wasn’t actively considering a shutout before Monday night’s showdown against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field.

The goal was a win that would secure Green Bay a spot in next month’s NFC playoffs.

It just so happens that the Packers’ stingiest defensive performance of the year against a struggling Saints team resulted in not only a 34-0 victory but also the NFL’s first shutout of the season.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s unit held New Orleans to just 196 total yards, while rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler turned the ball over twice after a strip sack and an interception.

It was good for Green Bay’s first shutout since a 17-0 victory over Seattle on November 14, 2021. It was also the Packers’ largest shutout win since a 34-0 victory over Minnesota on November 11, 2007.

“It’s the ‘G’ way, it’s the Packers way,” cornerback Keisean Nixon said. “If no one else has done it, that means it’s a hell of a deal for us and ‘Haf.'” That’s exactly what we preach, we preach turnovers and running up the ball, physicality, and that’s how we came today and played.”

The Packers were proud after last week’s 30-13 road win over Seattle, which put the defense in the top 10 in both total yards and points scored.

Rattler, who started in place of the injured Derek Carr, was under a lot of pressure throughout the evening. Every time the Saints threatened Packers territory, the defense responded violently.

After forcing punts on two consecutive series early in the game, Green Bay’s defense got home for the first time when a lightning-quick Nixon sacked Rattler and forced a fumble that Rashan Gary recovered at the Green Bay 34.

The Saints worked the ball to the Packers’ 34 on the next series before Devonte sacked Wyatt Rattler for a 12-yard loss with just 15 seconds left in the first half, giving Green Bay a 21-0 lead.

“We’ve been looking for this all year and we finally got it tonight, so I’m excited,” said Wyatt, who has five sacks this year. “We just have to keep going and keep shutting teams out.”

Midway through the third quarter, Rattler began to find a rhythm, completing a 20-yard pass to Dante Pettis at the Packers’ 22 yards. However, on the next play, second-year safety Zayne Anderson recorded his first NFL interception to put a damper on the Saints’ ball. hopes.

Anderson started in place of rookie Evan Williams, who was placed on the injury report Saturday with a quadriceps injury and did not play after being listed as questionable.

“Zayne worked his ass off,” safety Xavier McKinney said. “The safeties that we have in our room and just the DBs as a whole in our room as a unit, we have a bunch of guys – from top to bottom, so I think you got a little glimpse of that today. Anyone can play in our room, and we all prepare properly.

New Orleans had three more possessions in the fourth quarter, but fumbled after a three-pointer and turned the ball over twice on downs to end the game.

New Orleans played without running back Alvin Kamara and managed just 67 yards on 20 carries (3.4 yards per carry). Rattler was the leading rusher with 28 yards on five scrambles.

“We got better every week and we’re just proud of the way we came out and played,” McKinney said. “Obviously playing against a team that doesn’t have a winning record, we just stayed focused the whole time and just went for it and executed everything. I think we did a hell of a job today.”