The New Orleans Saints suffered one of the worst defeats in their franchise career on last night's Monday Night Football, taking a 34-0 loss to the playoff-bound Green Bay Packers. According to the surprisingly candid rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, the loss was "embarrassing" and he put the responsibility on himself.
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The Packers were generally favored to beat the Saints last night, due both to their solid standing in the NFC North and the home-team temperate advantage of Lambeau Field.
However, few spectators could have expected the blowout loss that the Saints would experience. Rattler was starting in place of an injured Derek Carr and New Orleans was also feeling the absence of star running back Alvin Kamara.
Rattler took the defeat with a remarkable amount of humility in post-game talks.
"Just embarrassing," Rattler said. "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."
The Packers secured a postseason berth with a dominant 34-0 win, marking their second consecutive trip to the playoffs. This achievement also extended Matt LaFleur's impressive track record to 5-1 in playoff appearances since becoming head coach in 2019, with both of his postseason berths coming with Jordan Love as the starting quarterback.
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Green Bay's ground game was led by Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, and Chris Brooks. Jacobs rushed for 69 yards on 13 carries, while Wilson added 52 yards on 11 attempts.
Meanwhile, the Saints struggled without Kamara and Carr. Unable to generate any momentum against the Packers' defense, New Orleans became the first team of the 2024 season to suffer a shutout loss.
Rattler finished the game 15-of-30 for 153 yards, with one interception and a lost fumble, while also being sacked three times in the 34-0 defeat. With the loss, he now stands at 0-4 as a starting quarterback in his first season in the NFL.
While the QB was not positive about his performance, he remained in support of his team.
"I know these guys in this locker room, this team, is not just going to lay down and quit," Rattler continued. "We're going to come back to work, grind, and just finish this season out, but it's tough."
"You have to play for something that means more," he concluded. "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."
The Saints will next face the 3-12 Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday.
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