Finally, the NFL has a shutout in 2024. On Monday night, the Green Bay Packers blanked the New Orleans Saints, 34-0, en route to a victory to conclude Week 16. In addition to this victory, during which Green Bay improved to 11-4 and clinched a playoff berth; It turned out to be the first shutout of the entire NFL season.
There has never been a season in league history without a shutout, and this turned out to be the last time the first shutout occurred. Those previous opening shutouts occurred no later than Week 8, so waiting until Week 16 to see one in 2024 was a big jump. The fewest shutouts in a single season is two, which has been done five times (most recently in 2015).
As expected in a shutout, it was completely one-sided and a great effort by the Packers, led by defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. In every direction, Green Bay made stops. He forced punts on the first two drives and then recorded a fumble on New Orleans’ third possession that night.
That was arguably the Saints’ best opportunity to put points on the board as they moved the ball to the Green Bay 29-yard line. However, that’s when cornerback Keisean Nixon burst from the edge and sacked Spencer Rattler, with defensive end Rashan Gary collecting the ball.
It was more of the same in the second half, which included an interception by safety Zayne Anderson. Green Bay limited the Saints to just four third-down conversions on 11 attempts, and New Orleans also turned the ball over on both of its fourth-down attempts. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi’s team was also limited to just 3.7 yards per play.
In addition to it being the first shutout of the season, it is also tied for the second-most shutout win for the Packers in the Super Bowl era (since 1966). The biggest result came in 2001, when they eliminated Washington 37-0.
Meanwhile, New Orleans was eliminated just once in the last 369 games before this matchup (2022 vs. 49ers).
