Packers HC Matt LaFleur Admits Coaching Problem Against Vikings

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur did well enough in his first-half matchup against Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. 

The Packers took a 19-10 lead into halftime. With Minnesota down its starting quarterback Kyler Murray and turning to Carson Wentz, it appeared Green Bay would be able to keep control of the game.

Instead, the Packers did what Ohio State did on Saturday night, blowing a fourth-quarter lead by allowing Minnesota to score 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to earn a 39-22 win at U.S. Bank Stadium.

During his postgame news conference, Lafleur told reporters that he had a hard time coming up with answers to match Flores' pressure at the line of scrimmage.

“It’s really hard, but that’s what they want,” said LaFleur, via Zach Jacobson of The Packer Dispatch. “They want you to play 11 personnel and get behind the sticks, and now it opens up Pandora’s Box. They’re just lining up everybody on the line of scrimmage, and that’s tough to deal with.

“We had some good answers early, but ultimately, coaching, playing—it’s all of us. We have to do a better job of putting plays in position, and when we are in position, we have to execute. We have to play cleaner football. Far too many penalties tonight.”

It sounds like LaFleur had a tough time making adjustments. 

The Packers have seen that in recent history. Green Bay is now on a six-game losing streak. During that streak, the Packers blew double-digit leads to the Denver Broncos, twice to the Chicago Bears, and now to the Vikings.

The Packers needed to perform better. Certainly, the offensive line is a legitimate problem for Green Bay to fix. But LaFleur needs to have answers in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter.

Overall, the Packers performed well against Flores' coached defense. Green Bay outgained the Vikings in total yards 419-239.

However, that momentum stopped in the fourth quarter, when their three drives ended twice on downs and once with a Jordan Love strip sack.

In Week 2, the Packers will face a New York Jets defense that kept the Tennessee Titans to 10 points on Sunday and recorded three sacks.