Packers vs. Saints score update, highlights: Green Bay bats first

On By Littum

The New Orleans Saints is officially eliminated from the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers are one win away from clinching a playoff spot.

It’s safe to say that one team has a little more to play for Monday night football than the other team. That said, the Saints have done a great job, despite their poor record, of keeping the game close under interim head coach Darren Rizzi.

New Orleans is without its two most influential players, quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara, as rookie Spencer Rattler is set to make his first outdoor start of his NFL career at frigid Lambeau Field. However, Green Bay is dealing with its fair share of injuries as they will be out three favorite starting defensemen in this game, which will likely push safety Zayne Anderson into the starting lineup.

Follow along as the drop series-by-series breakdowns throughout the game, including key highlights from the action.

Recap of the first quarter

The Packers opened the game with a triple-option play, where quarterback Jordan Love threw the ball to receiver Jayden Reed out of the backfield. The biggest play of the drive, however, came when running back Josh Jacobs not only ran for a first down, but also threw safety Tyrann Mathieu to the ground with a stiff arm that nearly went for six.

After the Packers failed to get the ball into the end zone on a goal-line infield to Dontayvion Wicks that looked like it was straight out of the Kansas City Chiefs’ playbook, Love found Wicks on the very next play for a score. This is just Wicks’ second touchdown since September 29, when he recorded two receiving touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings. Packers 7, Saints 0

The Saints offense drove the ball down the field for a while using a big gain on a close screen, but stalled as they crossed midfield. New Orleans initially had to go for a 4th and 7 from the 40-yard line, but a false start penalty pushed them back another five yards and forced a punt that the Packers mass caught inside the 10.