The Green Bay Packers have made a habit of falling behind early in games, and head coach Matt LaFleur has had enough of it.
Four days removed from needing to score 18 unanswered points to come back and beat the New Orleans Saints, the Packers' offense was stonewalled in the first half Thursday night against the Detroit Lions prior to falling 34-20 in a pivotal division game.
Quarterback Jordan Love and the Packers' offense managed only 22 yards of total offense in the first half on Thursday night, with only seven yards rushing and three first downs and three points.
By contrast, the Lions raced out to 27 first half points on the back of 284 yards of total offense while running roughshod for 121 yards.
Not great.
"I mean, you saw it," LaFleur said, during his post-game press conference, when asked what happens to cause that kind of first half. "We got our ass kicked. If I knew, it wouldn't have happened"
"We got our a** kicked...If I knew, it wouldn't have happened."
Matt LaFleur on what caused the Packers 1st half performance. pic.twitter.com/4vMpZ61Nvd
— NFL on CBS ? (@NFLonCBS) September 29, 2023
LaFleur took out his frustration from the loss on the reporter, adding "That's a B.S. question, man."
Stream the NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League live on Paramount+. Try it FREE!
Part of the reason the Packers' offense was so stuck in the mud, ultimately getting booed off the field at halftime, is the fact that the offensive line has been decimated by injuries. The Packers were without left tackle David Bakhtiari, offensive guard Elgton Jenkins, and during the game Jon Runyan was banged up, as well.
Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions' front-seven took full advantage, with the second-year defensive end logging 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, and one tackle for loss as Detroit sacked Love 4.5 times.
"It wasn't good enough," LaFleur said. "They whipped us. They manhandled us. If I knew the answer to that, it wouldn't have happened."
LaFleur and the Packers have a chance to get right, when Green Bay hits the road for a Monday night clash in Las Vegas against the reeling Raiders in Week 5.
