Matt LaFleur sounds off on key area Packers must improve on after Cardinals win 1 Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur talks with quarterback Jordan Love (10) against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Packers overcome biggest flaw in win over the Cardinals

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Oct 21, 2025 1:20 PM ET

The Packers emerged as the No. 1 seed in the NFC after Sunday night’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals, with the kind of win that showcased how dominant the pass rush can be when at its best and seemed to reaffirm head coach Matt LaFleur’s faith in quarterback Jordan Love.

Along the way, Green Bay may have solved its biggest issue and eased its greatest concern hanging over a season that seems destined to build towards a playoff run.

Packers put major concerns at ease

Entering Sunday, there were major concerns over the Packers’ inability to protect big leads, which cost Green Bay in a loss to the Cleveland Browns, a tie with the Dallas Cowboys, and nearly led to coughing up a game at home to Joe Flacco and the Cincinnati Bengals.

However, as PackersWire’s Zach Kruse argues, against the Cardinals, Green Bay rediscovered its ability to close out opponents, albeit an inferior one.

“The Packers started slow and trailed for most of Sunday, but the finish,” Kruse writes. “Which featured a 14-3 advantage in the fourth quarter — allowed Matt LaFleur’s team to escape. Over the final 15 minutes, the Packers made at least eight huge plays, including a fourth down stop near midfield and a fourth down conversion on the go-ahead touchdown drive.

“Fighting through adversity and making the big plays late in games — especially when you’re not at your best early — is a sign of a tough, resilient football team.”

Packers' Matt LaFleur calls for flags to fly for Micah Parsons 1 Sep 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur motions from the sidelines during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Packers proved they can finish, in Arizona. Now comes the test of sustaining it.

A trip to Pittsburgh to face the AFC North–leading Steelers looms as the kind of game that reveals whether Green Bay is truly the NFC’s most complete contender, or simply found a way to survive a manageable early-season schedule.

Packers' Matt LaFLeur sends strong Jordan Love message in win over Cardinals 3 Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

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

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