Packers Coach Matt LaFleur Makes Bad Excuse for Late-Game Blunder
Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers were unable to pick up a win on Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. Thankfully, they didn’t suffer a loss either. The game ended in a 40-40 tie.
Entering the matchup, the Packers were heavy favorites. Coming off of their embarrassing loss to the Cleveland Browns, it was widely expected that Green Bay would come out and prove that it is indeed a top-tier Super Bowl contender. That was not the case at all.
Unfortunately, the Packers’ defense gave up 40 points. The unit was receiving the hype of being one of the NFL’s best defenses. Clearly, there is still a lot of work to do.
Late in the game in overtime, Green Bay had a chance to pull out a win. Jordan Love had the offense driving, but the Packers moved too slowly and ended up running out of time. It was an inexcusable mistake, but one that may have cost them a win.
Following the game, LaFleur was asked about the team’s poor clock management. He offered a bad excuse and a lack of accountability for allowing way too much time to tick off the clock.
“It’s always a fine line you’re battling,” LaFleur said. “If I knew it was going to end like that, we would’ve gone faster.”
There are a few things wrong with his statement.
First and foremost, the Packers would have ended the game with a touchdown. Love and the offense were firing on all cylinders. There was no reason to play it so safe.
Instead, Green Bay should have been aggressive and gone for the win. LaFleur has been called out many times in the past for calling a way too conservative game. That was the case against the Cowboys.
Secondly, there was no reason to play it so safe. Dallas did not have a single timeout left. Even if the Packers had been forced to settle for a field goal with under a minute left, the Cowboys would have faced a tall task getting into field goal position for the win. Granted, the Green Bay defense was not playing well, but playing for a tie is a no-no.
It’s just another frustrating quote from LaFleur following a game that the Packers did not show up for. A tie is better than a loss, but Green Bay should have won. That wasn’t the case and now the Packers will head home to Lambeau Field for a Week 5 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hopefully, the team comes much more prepared than they have looked over the last two weeks. If not, LaFleur will start being a name mentioned as a hot seat candidate.
