The New Orleans Saints were trounced on the road at Lambeau Field, 34-0, in a game that felt decided after about eight minutes of action. The Saints became the first team to be shut out in the 2024 season.
"Just embarrassing," quarterback Spencer Rattler said via The Advocate. "Embarrassing loss. I put it on myself. I did not play good at all, in my opinion. I just didn't have any answers, I have to go to make more plays, protect the ball and I've just got to be better."
It was a rough watch for Saints fans in every aspect.
The offense generated 196 total yards, the fewest by the club since Week 10, 2022, at Pittsburgh (186). Rattler, making his fourth career start, was scattershot and under siege all night. The rookie completed 15 of 30 passes for 153 yards with an interception and took three sacks. The ground game was lost in the tundra, generating just 67 total yards, 28 of which came from Rattler scrambles -- three running backs earned 39 yards on 15 combined carries (2.6 YPC). The gutted pass-catching corps didn't have a single player go for more than 33 yards.
The defense got rolled like Christmas cookie dough. It allowed 404 total yards to Green Bay. By the time it forced the first Packers punt, it was 21-0, and Green Bay staffers were already prepping the postgame "Clinched Playoffs" plans.
The loss dented interim coach Dan Rizzi's effort to keep the gig long-term. From the depressing play to coaching miscues, New Orleans had a dismal outing from start to finish. However, the coach didn't feel like his players mailed it in.
"We didn't have a very good performance," Rizzi said. "I never felt like our guys are looking down the road and not giving effort because of our playoff status. I never felt like that one time during this time I've taken over. I didn't feel like that tonight. I feel like we got outcoached and outexecuted. That's the way it is."
Already eliminated from postseason action before kickoff, the Saints dropped to 5-10 on the season and currently sit with the No. 10 overall pick. They close at home against the Raiders and in Tampa Bay.
"I think [Demario Davis] said it perfectly to us, 'You've got to play for something bigger than the scoreboard,'" Rattler said. "You have to play for something that means more. Play for your pride, play for your teammates. Something more ... I know we'll get back to work after Christmas. We've got a short week, so we have to string together a good week and we have to get a win in the Dome."
