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There was no mincing words for Matt LaFleur or Aaron Rodgers after the Green Bay Packers’ embarrassing performance on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both of the team’s most prominent on-field leaders had strong words for the team and for themselves following the 38-10 debacle, and both will need to lead the team’s shift in mindset heading into their next game in Houston on Sunday.
Rodgers talked largely in general terms, calling the loss a wake-up call, but LaFleur was even more specific in his criticism of the team. The head coach took on his team’s work ethic during the week, saying “When you practice like crap, you go out and play like crap.” Specifically, he mentioned the team’s assistant coaches as people who need to improve, though he did say that he holds the ultimate responsibility for the team’s performance.
There were plenty of reasons why Tampa won this game that seemingly had little to do with the Packers’ preparation, however. The Buccaneers’ defense simply imposed its will on the Packers from the second quarter on, and there were even plenty of signs of that in the first quarter as well as the Packers got out to an early 10-0 lead.
Whatever changes the team needs to make, it will have to do so quickly. With the bye week now gone, Green Bay heads to Houston to play a disappointing but presumably frustrated Texans team sitting at 1-5.
Rodgers no match for Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense, picked off twice in loss | ESPN
Aaron Rodgers said that this game should be a "wake-up to stop feeling ourselves so much." It sounds like he feels that the team got complacent, something that certainly appeared to be the case with his own footwork for much of the game.
Packers Get ‘Needed Kick in the Ass’ | SI.com
Rodgers also used the phrase above, further signifying how frustrated he was in his and the team's performance on Sunday afternoon.
Green Bay Packers no match for speedy, hard-hitting inside linebackers | Packersnews.com (subscription)
Anyone who has been paying attention knows that Lavonte David is one of the best linebackers in the NFL, and he showed it on Sunday. He and Devin White shut down the Packers' run game early on, thanks in large part to their speed, and the offense never got rolling.
Anatomy of a Play: How Buccaneers fooled Aaron Rodgers for a pick-six | Touchdown Wire
If you're looking for the schematic breakdown of the pick-six, Doug Farrer is here for you.
Packers’ defense doesn’t find big play it needed | Packers.com
Meanwhile, the Packers' defense couldn't pressure Tom Brady at all, nor could they take advantage of the occasional opportunity. A ball tipped ten feet in the air and falling harmlessly to the turf comes to mind as Mike Pettine's unit -- with all of its personnel investments -- looked completely outmatched.
Man found living in ceiling of grocery store | KOLOtv.com
No word on whether he is a Packers fan who decided to become a hermit after yesterday's game. He was only caught because he fell through a ceiling tile just before the store opened.