It started with head coach Matt LaFleur getting into a fight with a Detroit Lions fan on the field and ended with another fourth quarter defensive meltdown. And with a 34-31 loss to the Lions the Packers playoff hopes are suddenly in doubt. It’s painfully evident the Packers don’t have a defense that you can win with in the playoffs and you have to wonder about a coach who lets an idiot fan get under his skin.
The Packers have been winning with smoke and mirrors all year and that doesn’t work against good teams. The Packers have now lost to the Lions twice, the Eagles and the Vikings once. I think the Seahawks and Vikings mop the floor with the Packers in the next three weeks meaning they will have to beat New Orleans and Chicago at home to make the playoffs. Either way it’s one and done for this team this year.
Outgoing team president Mark Murphy might have to take a hard look at this team and determine whether or not LaFleur is the right man to get the team over the hump. Last night’s meltdown was another embarrassing incident for LaFleur, who seems to have a serious temper problem. Between that and losing every big game you have to start questioning the leadership of this team.
I think the Packers will need to either turn the defense over to Robert Saleh or draft defensive lineman with the first five picks of the next year’s draft. They can’t win with this personnel. It’s great to have a great quarterback, but that alone doesn’t win you a Super Bowl. Unless the Packers figure something out they will be stuck in this endless cycle of mediocracy.