Matt LaFleur's job comes under attack after humiliating loss to the Falcons
A miserable home loss has intensified scrutiny on Green Bay’s head coach after a 1-2 start
The boos at Lambeau Field were only part of the reaction after Green Bay ’s Thursday night collapse.
Within minutes of the Packers ’ 35-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons , frustration spilled onto social media, where fans called for head coach Matt LaFleur to be fired after one of the most disjointed performances of his tenure.
“If the Packers are serious Matt LaFleur is fired TONIGHT,” one fan wrote on X. Another posted: “This team has thrown in the towel. LaFleur must be fired.” A third added: “I better wake up tomorrow to an ESPN breaking news notification that Matt LaFleur has been fired.”
The anger was understandable given the way the game unfolded. Green Bay actually started well, intercepting Michael Penix Jr. on Atlanta’s opening possession and turning the takeaway into a Christian Watson touchdown. That was about as good as it got.
Atlanta dominated Green Bay
The Falcons responded with 27 unanswered points and controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Green Bay managed only 17 rushing yards on nine carries, while Atlanta piled up 244 yards on the ground. Bijan Robinson accounted for 194 of those yards and scored twice, with Brian Robinson adding 50 yards and another touchdown.
The Packers ’ offensive line was no better in pass protection, allowing 12 quarterback hits on Jordan Love . LaFleur didn't try to sugarcoat the performance afterward.
“Well, that was a humbling night,” he said. “Certainly, I don’t think anybody is pleased about this. We’ve got a couple extra days here, and everybody has to take a long, hard look at ourselves.”
Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho went significantly further.
“Matt LaFleur shouldn’t be in the hot seat, he shouldn’t have a seat!” Acho said on his Speakeasy show. “He has peaked with the Green Bay Packers.”
He added: “What has LaFleur done in the last year-and-a-half that got you excited? We have not seen this team get better.”
Packers’ problems beginning to pile up
Green Bay ’s 1-2 record does not tell the entire story. The Packers were beaten 39-22 by Minnesota in Week 1 before escaping with an overtime win over the Jets in Week 2, a game in which they committed 14 penalties.
Their rushing attack has produced only 146 yards through three games, while injuries have taken a toll across the roster. Jayden Reed and Micah Parsons have both been sidelined, and the offensive line has been depleted.
Josh Jacobs has also missed the past two games while on the Commissioner ’s Exempt List as the NFL reviews his situation. The Packers have extra time before traveling to face Tampa Bay on October 4, but Thursday’s loss has changed the tone around the team.
This wasn't just a close defeat to a good opponent. Green Bay was beaten decisively at home by a Falcons team that entered the night winless. LaFleur called it humbling, but Packers fans called it unacceptable.
If Green Bay doesn't respond quickly, the pressure surrounding its head coach is unlikely to ease.
