The Green Bay Packers just got a “butt-whooping” at home, falling 35-14 to the Atlanta Falcons in their 2026 home opener at Lambeau Field. Coach Matt LaFleur pulled no punches after the game, admitting the loss was a humbling night for his squad. With this blowout, the Packers are now sitting at a dismal 1-2 on the season, having been just a late comeback away from an 0-3 start.
The Offense Is a Hot Mess and It’s Not Just the Line
You wanna talk about ugly? LaFleur straight up said, “Right now, I don’t know what we’re doing well offensively.” That’s three games in, folks! They’re dropping back 50-some times a game and only rushing nine times. It’s no wonder the run game is nonexistent, and LaFleur noted that “it’s probably not going to bode well for you.” He mentioned Josh Jacobs is a dynamic running back, hinting at what they’re missing, but also kept it real, saying “it is what it is right now.”
And don’t even think about putting all the blame on the offensive line. LaFleur made it clear there’s “plenty of blame to go around.” Players need to “catch the ball better,” there are “some throws J-Love would like to have back,” and yeah, “some play calls I’d love to have back.” Remember that Jager Burton false start on fourth down? A “young player” lesson, sure, but those moments sting. It’s a whole team effort, and right now, it’s just not gelling.
Facing the Music: LaFleur’s Search for Solutions
LaFleur called the 35-14 loss “at least a three-quarter butt-whooping,” and it’s hard to argue when the Falcons rolled up 500 yards of offense against them. This isn’t just one bad play; it’s a systemic problem. LaFleur stressed that “everyone has to take a long hard look at themselves” during their extra few days off. He’s not getting into acquiring outside help yet without reviewing the tape, insisting he’ll “work with whoever is here and we’ll all work together to fix this thing.”
The message to the locker room is clear: “ignore the noise” that’s bound to get loud, “roll up your sleeves and get to work.” LaFleur praised Jordan Love as a “great leader” with the “respect of everyone in the locker room,” someone who’s “not afraid to say something to somebody.” He believes they have “the right kind of guys, who aren’t afraid of the work, aren’t afraid of the challenge, aren’t afraid of the adversity.” Let’s hope those guys show up because this start is rough.
So, here we are, 1-2. LaFleur says there’s “a lot of ball in front of us,” but the urgency is palpable. They need to find those solutions he’s talking about, and fast. The question isn’t just if they’re going to respond, but how. Can they figure out what they actually do well before this early season slide turns into a full-blown crisis?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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