The Green Bay Packers are returning home after a few days of humiliation in Denver in August. Coach Matt LaFleur wasn’t particularly pleased with the play of his starters and veterans in a combined practice against the Broncos on Friday, and then his team — with 31 players sidelined — fell 27-2 in a one-sided preseason loss on Sunday night.
“Not good enough. We got humiliated in practice and we definitely got humiliated again in the game today,” LaFleur said after the game. “We’re looking for a certain style of play … substandard. The second half was a little better, but still not good enough.”
On Sunday, the Packers were down 10-0 after two plays, down 17-0 at halftime and only avoided a shutout thanks to a sack by safety Zach Morton in the third quarter. The offense accomplished almost nothing in the passing game, finished 3-of-16 on third or fourth down and never entered the red zone.
“We didn’t block well enough in the run game and the passing game,” LaFleur said.
LaFleur expected a better response from his team after a disappointing practice Friday, with the reserves — who were given the chance to play against the Broncos’ starters — not rising to the challenge.
“I was hoping our guys would come out with more effort, more effort and more determination after being humiliated in practice the other day. For that to happen again, that’s not where we want to be,” LaFleur said.
Context is crucial. The result of a preseason game in which Jordan Love and nearly every other starter on offense and defense did not play is irrelevant. The Broncos kept starters in the first quarter and contributors on both ends of the field until the second half. The Packers’ depth was tested and largely failed.
LaFleur was more worried about the process.
“I think it’s a good lesson for our guys in terms of it doesn’t matter who’s out there, if you’re not playing your best every time you step out on the court, these things are going to happen to you,” LaFleur said. “We’re going to have to regroup, take a long, hard look in the mirror and get better. We need that urgency from everyone.”
The Packers have a large final week of preseason ahead of them, with an open practice on Tuesday, a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday and the preseason finale against the Ravens at Lambeau Field on Saturday.
LaFleur was unsure whether the starting lineup would play against the Ravens in the finale.
You can hear more about LaFleur below:
