Shutout Loss in Green Bay: What Led to the Saints Embarra

Saints Suffer Embarrassing Shutout Loss to Green Bay: A Breakdown of the Disastrous Performance

The New Orleans Saints faced a humiliating defeat in Green Bay, falling 34-0 to the Packers at Lambeau Field in a game that was effectively decided within the first eight minutes. The loss marked the Saints’ first shutout of the 2024 season, leaving fans and players alike in disbelief.

In what could only be described as a nightmare performance, the Saints struggled on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the team generated just 196 total yards, the fewest since Week 10 of the 2022 season. The ground game was particularly ineffective, with only 67 rushing yards, and three running backs combining for just 39 yards on 15 carries (2.6 yards per carry). Quarterback Spencer Rattler, making his fourth career start, had a rough night, completing just 15 of 30 passes for 153 yards and throwing an interception. He also took three sacks and struggled to find any rhythm, often under heavy pressure. His performance was described as “embarrassing”, taking full responsibility for the loss.

Despite his efforts, Rattler acknowledged his lack of answers on the field, expressing the need to “protect the ball” and be better moving forward. The passing attack was equally disappointing, with not a single player managing more than 33 yards receiving.

On the defensive side, the Saints had no answers for the Packers’ offense. They allowed 404 total yards, and by the time the defense forced its first punt, Green Bay had already built a 21-0 lead. The Packers cruised to victory, with the Saints failing to execute any significant stops or make necessary adjustments. The Saints’ defense was completely overwhelmed, unable to slow down Green Bay at any point in the game.

The loss also had major implications for interim coach Dan Rizzi, who has been fighting to prove his worth as the team’s long-term head coach. The embarrassing performance raised serious questions about the team’s preparedness and execution under his leadership. Rizzi, however, emphasized that the players had not given up on the season. “I never felt like our guys were looking down the road and not giving effort because of our playoff status,” Rizzi said. “We got outcoached and outexecuted. That’s the way it is.”

With the playoff hopes already dashed before the game even began, the Saints dropped to a 5-9 record and now sit with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Despite the crushing defeat, Rattler, still a young player in the league, remained hopeful. He referenced a statement from teammate Demario Davis, saying, “You’ve got to play for something bigger than the scoreboard. Play for your pride, play for your teammates. Something more… I know we’ll get back to work after Christmas.”

Looking ahead, the Saints will have two more games to finish out the season: a home game against the Raiders and a road matchup in Tampa Bay. The team will need to regroup quickly, focusing on playing for their pride and finishing the season on a positive note. With a short week ahead, Rattler and the Saints must find a way to rebound from this disastrous shutout and avoid further embarrassment in the closing weeks of the season.