Matt LaFleur: Packers' defense was outstanding, offense made too many mistakes
The Packers lost to the Eagles 10-7 on Monday night, and any time a team loses by that score, a coach is going to point to his offense as the problem. Packers coach Matt LaFleur was no exception.
"Our defense was outstanding. Unfortunately, just too many mistakes offensively to overcome it," LaFleur said after the game. "You hold good football teams to 10 points you should win the football game, but obviously we didn't do enough offensively. We've got a short week. We can't feel sorry for ourselves. We've got to figure it out, come back and do better."
Asked what has gone wrong offensively, LaFleur said it's been "very choppy," and if he knew why the offense wasn't playing better he would have fixed it.
The offense needs to fix something. The Packers have three losses this season, by scores of 13-10 to the Browns, 16-13 to the Panthers and now 10-7 to the Eagles. LaFleur acknowledged that he needs to coach the Packers better.
"You score seven points in this league, you're probably not going to win many games," LaFleur said. "We have to do a much better job, and it always starts with myself."
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 15 of 26 passes against the Green Bay Packers [Getty Images]
DeVonta Smith's fourth-quarter touchdown helped defending Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles scrape a 10-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in the NFL.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts found Smith with a 36-yard pass to give the Eagles a 10-0 lead with 10 minutes left at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay's Josh Jacobs went over with a six-yard run with less than six minutes remaining, but Brandon McManus failed with a 64-yard field goal that would have tied the scores in the final seconds.
"We knew it was going to be a four-quarter fist fight," Packers coach Matt LaFleur said.
"Our defence was outstanding and, unfortunately, just too many mistakes offensively to overcome it."
Packers quarterback Jordan Love fumbled a scoring opportunity in the final minute of the first half.
A second successive defeat left the Packers third in the NFC North, behind the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears.
The Eagles, on a three-game winning run, remain top of the NFC East.
The two-time NFL Coach of the Year will be in extremely high demand if Cleveland lets him go. He’s had significant success despite being hamstrung by decisions that he likely didn’t control (Deshaun Watson). Considering the quarterback roulette that Kevin Stefanski has dealt with over the past couple years, he might jump at the chance to work with Jaxson Dart.
Jeff Hafley, Packers defensive coordinator
The Mara family has an affinity for Boston College alums, and Jeff Hafley served as the school’s head coach from 2020-23 before taking over Green Bay’s defense in 2024. He’s also a Montvale, N.J., native.
Mike LaFleur, Rams offensive coordinator
The younger brother of Matt LaFleur spent the early part of his career learning under Kyle Shanahan with the 49ers. Mike LaFleur served as the Jets’ offensive coordinator from 2021–22 before ownership forced his removal after he failed to develop Zach Wilson. He’s spent the last three years with Sean McVay in Los Angeles, where quarterback Matthew Stafford is receiving MVP consideration.
Kevin Patullo, Eagles offensive coordinator
It was a slow start to the season, but Kevin Patullo has steadied one of the league’s most potent offenses. It wouldn’t be the worst thing for the Giants to poach from a division rival.
Steve Spagnuolo is one of the game’s best defensive minds and a Giants legend for his work in their Super Bowl XLII win over the previously unbeaten Patriots. The concern: his track record as a head coach. He struggled with the Rams (2009–11) and went 1–3 as the Giants’ interim coach in 2017.
Brian Flores, Vikings defensive coordinator
Brian Flores was a finalist for multiple jobs in the last cycle. The concern here is his fractured relationship with Tua Tagovailoa in Miami. Flores may be better suited for a veteran quarterback room.
Antonio Pierce, CBS Sports analyst
His name will surface often. Antonio Pierce won Super Bowl XLII while with the Giants (2005-09) and has spent time around the team this season. He had a successful interim run with the Raiders in 2023 but faltered in 2024, which was his lone full season as head coach.
Matt Burke, Texans defensive coordinator
DeMeco Ryans receives most of the credit, but Burke oversees the league’s top statistical defense.
