Matt LaFleur Doesn’t Sugarcoat Packers’ Blowout Loss to Falcons

The Packers had won 13 consecutive home openers, but their streak ended on Thursday night at Lambeau Field.

Atlanta controlled the game from start to finish, rolling past Green Bay by a 35-14 score.

Afterward, Packers coach Matt LaFleur offered a blunt assessment of the loss.

“It was a butt-whooping,” LaFleur said. “That was at least three-quarter butt-whooping right there.”

His remarks came amid questions about a roughing the passer penalty that helped extend the Falcons’ opening scoring drive. When asked specifically about that call, LaFleur declined to comment.

“I’m not gonna answer that. I’m not gonna get fined,” he said.

LaFleur also sidestepped a question about whether the offensive line’s struggles could lead to changes on the coaching staff.

“I’m not even going to respond to that question,” he said.

He also refused to place the blame solely on the blockers, saying the entire team shares responsibility for the poor performance.

“I don’t want to put all the blame on the offensive line,” LaFleur said. “There’s enough blame to go around to everybody.”

The statistics reflected Green Bay’s problems. The Packers managed just 17 rushing yards on nine carries while throwing the ball 53 times, and the absence of starting running back Josh Jacobs was clear.

“I think we all saw a dynamic running back on the other side, and I think Josh is a dynamic running back,” LaFleur said. “But it is the situation, it’s the circumstance. And it is what it is right now. And we’ve got to find a way just to either — well, one, we’ve got to put them in a better position, and then those guys gotta go do it.”

Green Bay now has extra time to regroup before traveling to face Tampa Bay in Week 4, renewing the old NFC Central “Bay of Pigs” rivalry. With the Packers at 1-2 and the Buccaneers at 0-2, the matchup could bring that familiar nickname back into the spotlight.

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