NFL

Matt LaFleur admits uncertainty as Packers struggle in home-opening loss to Falcons

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 25, 2026, 12:15 IST

The Green Bay Packers slumped to a 35-14 defeat against the Atlanta Falcons, marking their worst start under coach Matt LaFleur. The team struggled to establish a run game and faced persistent pressure on quarterback Jordan Love.

Matt LaFleur admits uncertainty as Packers struggle in home-opening loss to Falcons

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is searching for answers after his team slumped to a 35-14 defeat against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. The loss, which occurred during the team's home opener at Lambeau Field, leaves the Packers with a 1-2 record, marking the worst start to a season during LaFleur’s eight-year tenure.

The frustration was palpable as the home crowd voiced their displeasure, booing the team off the field following a performance defined by offensive inconsistency. LaFleur admitted after the game that the coaching staff is still struggling to identify a clear offensive identity, noting that he is currently unsure what the team is doing well on that side of the ball.

Offensive struggles and historic rushing lows

The Packers' inability to move the ball on the ground was a primary factor in the defeat. Green Bay managed a mere 17 rushing yards throughout the contest, a figure that ranks among the third-lowest totals for the franchise in over 90 years. In stark contrast, the Falcons dominated the ground game, with running back Bijan Robinson alone accounting for 194 rushing yards.

With lead running back Josh Jacobs currently on the commissioner's exempt list, the Packers have struggled to find production in the backfield. The team is currently averaging just 48.7 rushing yards per game, having totaled only 146 yards across their first three outings—the lowest mark for any NFL team at this stage of the season since 2019.

Quarterback Jordan Love faced significant pressure throughout the night, enduring 12 quarterback hits despite being sacked only once. Love finished the game 28-of-53 for 312 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His completion percentage for the season now sits at 52%, the lowest for an NFL quarterback with at least 100 attempts through three games since 2011.

Team reaction to home-field atmosphere

The atmosphere at Lambeau Field grew tense as the game progressed, with players offering differing perspectives on the fans' reaction. Tight end Tucker Kraft expressed disappointment regarding the boos, suggesting that the team would benefit more from support than criticism from the stands. Conversely, wide receiver Christian Watson acknowledged the fans' frustration, emphasizing that the team must improve the quality of their performance to earn the crowd's backing.

Despite the difficult start, Love remains optimistic about the remainder of the season. He pointed to the 2023 campaign as a reference point, noting that the team overcame a slow start last year to eventually find their rhythm. As the Packers look ahead, the focus remains on addressing the systemic issues that have hindered their offensive output during the opening weeks of the season.