The Green Bay Packers had a chance to make history on Sunday afternoon against the Atlanta Falcons. No team in franchise history had ever begun the season with back-to-back road games and started 2-0. This year’s team had a great chance of doing it, but let the opportunity slip through their fingers.
Green Bay came up just short on their trip to Atlanta, losing 25-24. They blew a 12-point fourth-quarter lead as the offense stalled and the defense was hung out to dry. On their final three possessions of the game, the Packers managed to gain only seven yards on 10 plays. That gave all the momentum to the Falcons, who moved down the field methodically against a worn-down Green Bay defense.
Monday’s film session was going to be tough on reliving all of the miscues and missed opportunities. Somehow it seemed worse than expected, as head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t mince words when talking about what he saw on video.
“That film was tough to watch now, because there were a lot of opportunities out there for us,” LaFleur said Monday afternoon. “We have to make some of these plays that are out there for us to make.”
He was visibly annoyed as he watched his team blow a lead from the sidelines, that same feeling carried over into the film session. Sunday afternoon’s game was there for the taking and the Packers were unable to take advantage.
Mental errors were made throughout the game, starting on the first drive. The Packers picked up 44 yards on a pass interference call but didn’t score as a delay of game on the field goal attempt knocked them out of field goal range.
LaFleur took the responsibility for that one, saying he should have called a timeout. But, if it had been executed properly, there would have been no delay of game possibility.
Green Bay also failed to capitalize off of a Rasul Douglas interception, bringing back memories of Week 1. When Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields lost a fumble, the Packers went three-and-out, punting right back.
Jaire Alexander and Quay Walker both dropped interceptions that would have changed the tide of the game. But, worst of all, the Packers’ defense reverted back to their 2022 form against the run.
“Yeah, it wasn’t good. We got gashed,” LaFleur said.
Green Bay surrendered 211 yards on the ground as running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier and quarterback Desmond Ridder ran all over them. That is something that has to be cleaned up if this team wants to continue winning games.
