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Packers' Josh Jacobs has strong message on Jordan Love for NFL rivals 2 Sep 11, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws during the third quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Packers HC Matt LaFleur shuts down trap game talk before facing Panthers

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Nathan Yasis | Last updated Oct 31, 2025 4:42 PM ET

When reporters brought it up on Wednesday, head coach Matt LaFleur quickly dismissed the notion. His focus remains locked on Sunday’s matchup with the Carolina Panthers, which falls between a meeting with Aaron Rodgers and a Monday Night Football clash against the Philadelphia Eagles. To avoid falling into a trap, the Green Bay Packers must come out strong against a Carolina defense that has consistently allowed early scores.

The Panthers have shown clear progress in Dave Canales’ second season at the helm. After opening last year with a 1-7 record and sitting former top pick Bryce Young, Carolina has climbed to a 4-4 start this season, matching nearly all of last year’s five total wins in just eight games.

Coming off a high-energy, playoff-type clash with Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh, the Packers now turn their attention to another marquee matchup next Monday when they host the Eagles under the bright lights. Compared to those headline games, the Panthers doesn’t exactly jump off the page as a must-watch showdown.

When a reporter brought up the idea of a trap game on Wednesday, LaFleur didn’t hesitate to shut it down, “I’m not worried about it. We’ve got enough to worry about just within ourselves and a lot of growth in front of us if we want to play our best football. We should only be worried about today and this game and nothing else outside of that.”

Matt LaFleur not looking at the Panthers as a trap game

Packers' Matt LaFleur focused on Steelers battle not Aaron Rodgers hype 1 Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

To avoid what would be a surprising and costly loss, the Packers enter the week as heavy favorites, nearly by two touchdowns. They must open strong against a Carolina defense that tends to give up early scores.

It’s a trend that has haunted the Panthers throughout the season, as teams continue to build early leads against them. The Panthers sit 28th in the NFL in first-half scoring defense, giving up an average of 15.5 points. They’ve allowed at least 17 points before halftime in four of their last five contests. Meanwhile, the Packers’ defense has been nearly impenetrable early on. Jeff Hafley’s group has surrendered less than a point per first quarter, topping the league with an average of just 0.9 points allowed in the opening 15 minutes.

Lately, the Packers’ offense has had a hard time settling in during the opening quarters. The Packers scored only seven points before halftime against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night and just six the previous week in Arizona. Even in their matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals three weeks ago, when they held a 10-0 halftime lead, the offense failed to take advantage of several promising drives.

Now Matt LaFleur and the Packers go up against a defense that has struggled badly to keep teams off the board early. If there was ever a chance to shake off their sluggish starts, this matchup provides the perfect opportunity.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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