It’s pretty difficult to stay quiet when the stakes are high and the calls go against you. And the Packers head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t hold back after Green Bay’s razor-thin 27-25 loss to the Vikings. For LaFleur, the loss wasn’t just about his team’s struggles; it was also about a decision that didn’t sit right with him.
A controversial offside penalty before halftime handed Minnesota a critical three points. LaFleur’s frustration boiled over in the postgame presser when asked about the penalty. To put it into context, the penalty call turned a missed 55-yard field goal into a successful 50-yarder. “I was standing right down the line. I didn’t see it that way. But I’m not an official,” LaFleur said postgame. And replays did seem to back him up.
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The replays showed no clear evidence of Green Bay’s Edgerrin Cooper being offside. While the field goal loomed large in a game decided by just two points. However, the penalty was just one misstep in a sloppy first half for the Packers. Green Bay fumbled on its opening drive. To make things worse, they committed a costly 12-men-in-the-huddle penalty and were flagged for two illegal formations. These mistakes helped the Vikings build a 13-3 halftime lead. While the defense didn’t do LaFleur any favors, either.
The Packers’ pass rush was nearly nonexistent, recording just one sack on 43 attempts. Just one! On the other hand, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was surgical. He threw for 377 yards and also scored three touchdowns. Reflecting on the game, LaFleur emphasized the importance of pressure. “You’ve got to get pressure on these guys if they’re going to drop back that many times,” he said. “If you don’t, it’s going to be a long day.” That proved to be the case, as even a spirited fourth-quarter rally couldn’t save them the game.
The Packers eventually failed to erase a 17-point deficit. Their comeback bid fell short when the Vikings converted a third-and-three to run out the clock. For LaFleur, the loss underscored a painful reality about his team’s readiness for high-pressure games.
Locker room tensions flare as LaFleur points fingers
Postgame, LaFleur didn’t just vent about the officiating—he called out his own team. “[We] obviously dug ourselves too deep of a hole,” LaFleur admitted. “I don’t think we were at our best, but that’s a credit to them and our slow start. And that’s on me as much as anybody.” And his blunt comments about missed opportunities hinted at deeper issues within the Packers’ locker room.
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“You can’t get down against good football teams,” he said, a critique aimed squarely at his players’ preparation and execution. The defense, battered by injuries, struggled to stop the Vikings’ aerial attack. With key players like Jaire Alexander sidelined, the secondary was stretched thin. But LaFleur’s comments suggested he expects more from his defensive front. “They’ve got weapons… ultimately, collectively as a unit, everybody got to play a little bit better,” he said.
USA Today via Reuters Jan 7, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) high fives head coach Matt LaFleur after throwing a touchdown pass during the second quarter of their game against the Chicago Bear at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Offensively, quarterback Jordan Love faced constant pressure, taking three sacks and several hits. The Packers’ inability to adjust to the Vikings’ man coverage until late in the game raised eyebrows. Love acknowledged the team’s struggles: “It’s hard to get out of that hole, and when it’s a good team like the Vikings, that makes it even tougher.”
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The loss caused a severe hit to Green Bay’s playoff seeding. LaFleur’s fiery postgame remarks reflect a team searching for answers ahead of the playoffs. Whether his criticism sparks improvement or creates division remains to be seen. For now, the Packers must regroup and refocus on their postseason path.