After their 34-0 shutout over the New Orleans Saints, the Green Bay Packers punched their ticket to the playoffs. The Packers, now 11-4, join divisional rivals the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings in the postseason.
Green Bay has won two of their last three and five of their last six dating back to November 17th. They’ve dominated their non-division games, only losing to the Eagles other than the aforementioned Lions and Vikings. Next Sunday they head to Minnesota for a marquee matchup, one that was recently flexed to the 4:25 PM EST game of the week.
Packers Dominate Saints for First Shutout of the Season
Another Week Without an INT
Jordan Love during Toyotathan is no joke. It’s all fun and games, but the numbers are here to back it up. The second-year starter had a three-interception game earlier this year and was seemingly throwing a pick in every game he played. This trend has changed, a trend the Packers are more than happy with.
Love’s last interception came in the November 17th game in Chicago. He’s gone five straight games without an interception, tying last year’s streak for the longest of his career. He had a chance to go for six straight games last season but failed to do so as he threw two interceptions against the San Francisco 49ers in what was ultimately a three-point loss that ended their season.
While he wasn’t perfect in the win last night, he didn’t have to be. The defense stood their ground, and the running game once again proved to be one of the most efficient in the league. Love finished with just a 57.1% completion percentage, missing a combination of a few easy throws and a couple of deep balls.
One key play was on a 4th and 2 early in the game. The Packers were in control, and Love’s read option was a huge completion to Tucker Kraft. Kraft was wide open in the middle of the field, but so was Christian Watson who was all alone downfield. Even though Love took his eyes off of the prize and missed the deep ball touchdown, it shows his maturity. The Jordan Love of last year would’ve overthrown Watson (or had Watson drop it) forcing the Packers to turn the ball over. Love took the easy completion, and that drive ultimately resulted in a touchdown anyway. It’s the little things that Love is doing right to set his team up for success.
Packers Rushing Trio
Josh Jacobs only played three quarters, but that’s all he needed. Once again, his touches in the first quarter allowed the Packers to jump out to an early lead. Their first drive was perfect, later setting up a nine-minute touchdown drive as well. Jacob’s final line saw him rush for 69 yards, his lowest since December 5th. The veteran back also hauled in four receptions for 38 yards. This marks three straight games for Jacobs with four receptions.
With all three of their running backs healthy, Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks are tremendous change-of-pace backs. While Jacobs’s stiff arm from last night was going viral, both Wilson and Brooks found their way into the end zone as well. The three combined for 144 yards, over double the Saints final rushing line of 67 yards.
The Packers Have Finally Found Their Kicker
Many were quick to respond to the Packers signing Brandon McManus, but the kicker has over-delivered. With his accusations and an NFL investigation behind him, McManus has not missed a field goal since November 3rd. After last night, he improved to 16-17 on the year.
McManus knocked down his longest kick of the season, a 55-yard field goal. He also converted on one from 46 yards out and has yet to miss an extra point all season. The past year and a half the Packers have struggled to find their kicker, but they have found theirs in McManus.
Main Photo: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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