CNN
—

NFL games are rarely as one-sided as the duel between the Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.

Playing at home at marquee Lambeau Field, the NFL’s youngest team defeated the hapless Saints, dominating New Orleans in all phases of the game and securing a 34-0 victory.

Green Bay’s defensive dominance led to the first shutout of the 2024 NFL season.

With the one-sided victory, Green Bay secured its eleventh win of the year and secured its place in the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Notably, despite boasting the fourth-best record in the NFC, the Packers still sit third in their own division, behind the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, both of whom are 13-2 this season.

What was notable about Green Bay’s dismantling of New Orleans was the balance of the team’s attack.

Nine different Packers players racked up rushing yards for Green Bay, led by Josh Jacobs, who had 69 yards and a touchdown. Packers quarterback Jordan Love also threw for 182 yards and completed passes to seven different receivers.

Even more impressive was Green Bay’s defense, which refused to give up a point while sacking Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler three times and forcing the rookie into two turnovers – a fumble and an interception.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones once said, “You remember what you did in December,” but Monday night’s fiasco will be a game the Saints would like to forget.

The Packers had twice as many yards of offense in the game and led by nearly 15 minutes.

Twice late in the second quarter, the Saints – led by interim coach Darren Rizzi – appeared unaware that precious seconds were ticking away before they finally called a timeout, and the half ended with a missed scoring opportunity.

While the Packers look toward the postseason, Green Bay faces two more NFC North rivals to close out the regular season. First there’s a big showdown with the Vikings on Sunday, followed by a clash with the hated Chicago Bears in the season finale.

The Saints will return home to lick their wounds before a game against the scrappy Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. New Orleans then ends its season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.