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With a second egg laid in three games, the pressure is on Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
After a fast start to get to 7-1, Green Bay has dropped two of its last three games and now sits at 8-3. It’s still a good record to have and the Packers are in great position to make the postseason for the first time since 2016, but it’s how they have lost the two games that has thrown up some red flags.
The Packers didn’t just lose. They got demolished. If fans thought it couldn’t get worse than the 35-11 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, it definitely did as the San Francisco 49ers dominated Green Bay 37-8 Sunday night.
For the first time in his brief head coaching career, LaFleur is now facing a strong headwind with Green Bay’s status as an NFC contender now being openly questioned.
How will the coach respond? He’s been good at taking the blame in his press conferences after the game but he hasn’t been the best at making adjustments in-game. Keep in mind this is a rookie head coach who also is only in his second year of calling plays. Growing pains are to be expected all year not just early in the season. LaFleur seems like a smart enough guy to correct his mistakes, adapt, evolve and not cling to his playbook as if it’s written in stone.
Even if he does, it’s clear: the honeymoon is over. Packers fans are hungry for a return to the playoffs and given how the last two seasons have spiraled out of control, you can’t blame them for starting to sweat a little.
The heat is on. How LaFleur handles it will ultimately determine the 2019 Packers’ fate.
Here are today’s cheese curds.
Everyone knew this moment was coming for LaFleur, even as the team raced out to a fast start. Now it’s time to see what kind of guts/courage/moxie the young coach has.
What You Might’ve Missed: Do-everything defender—Packers.com
In happier news, it’s fun to watch Za’Darius Smith work. Here’s a nice breakdown on all the things he does well that don’t necessarily show up on the stat sheet.
On to New York: Packers need a ‘get right’ game against two-win Giants—Packers Wire
Even if the Giants are bad (and they are), back-to-back road trips to opposite coasts can cause some problems. This has “trap game” written all over it and the Packers would be wise to not overlook New York (or Washington) before the final three game stretch against divisional opponents.
Wisconsin soldier receives hand-written letter from Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Jones—KWQC
Aaron Jones is a treasure, on and off the field.
Police Dogs in California star in hilarious Thanksgiving sketch—ABC7 NY
These are the best dogs. The Outtakes might be even funnier than the actual video.