Let’s make this quick: That was exactly what we all hoped to see from the Green Bay Packers. A good old-fashioned butt-whoopin’ of an overmatched team. The shutout was an added bonus.
Big picture, the Pack kept the momentum going, played well in all three phases, and are tuned up and ready for their showdown in Minneapolis on Sunday. Let’s examine the little things that emerged from this game.
We’ll start with the bad. Christian Watson’s knee injury is a concern; we’ll probably get more information about its severity sometime on Tuesday. That he went back in for a few plays before shutting it down may be encouraging, but you never know.
As great as it would be to have him on Sunday, I’m just hoping he can be 100% for the postseason. He didn’t catch a pass on Monday night but had a couple of explosive carries and would have scored if Jordan Love had seen him instead of checking one down to get a first down. Watson’s speed is a game-changer, and the Packers will feel his absence if he’s out for the playoffs.
On to the positives. The Packers were missing four starters on defense, testing the depth of Jeff Hafley’s unit, and they passed with flying colors. We all understand the New Orleans Saints’ offense was probably the weakest any NFL team has fielded all season, with all their top skill players on the sidelines. But it’s still an NFL operation, and the Pack stifled them for 60 minutes with some atypical standouts.
Safety Zayne Anderson continues to impress, with an interception and a few passes defended. You hear Xavier McKinney talk about how hard he prepares each week, the extra time he puts in, and you feel good for a kid who’s been bouncing around practice squads for a few years finally getting a chance to show what he’s got. Sounds like he’ll get more opportunities. After the game, Matt LaFleur said it might be a bit before Javon Bullard and Evan Williams get back on the field after the game.
The Pack’s pass rush was on point again, with a 52.6% pressure rate on rookie Spencer Rattler. Brenton Cox led the way with six, with Lukas Van Ness next with five. More young guys are getting an opportunity to shine. Rashan Gary and Devonte Wyatt were right behind them – both have improved as the season progresses.
Another positive: seeing Brandon McManus nail a 55-yard field goal. The veteran kicker has been a revelation this season, eliminating most fans’ biggest concern about this team’s ability to win close games. However, he hadn’t yet shown a big leg. So when LaFleur trotted him out there to try a long one on a cold, somewhat windy night, I had low expectations and was a bit annoyed that the Pack might set up the Saints with good field position. But McManus showed that he can still hit a long one when needed, something to tuck away for January.
Attention turns quickly to what comes next: a showdown with the Vikings, who have one extra day to prepare. The Packers know they’re riding a wave of momentum, have the winningest active December coach leading them from a percentage standpoint, and know that every player on the 53-man roster appears to be up to the challenge ahead.
