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Packers hit two new lows of the Matt LaFleur era with 'TNF' loss
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt Lafleur. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Packers hit two new lows of the Matt LaFleur era with embarrassing 'TNF' loss to Falcons

Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers had a night to forget Thursday against the Atlanta Falcons. Michael Penix Jr. returned for the 0-2 Falcons and proceeded to lead his team to a 35-14 victory as he and Bijan Robinson carved up the Green Bay defense.

Jordan Love was forced to throw 53 passes, completing 28 for two touchdowns and an interception as the Packers running game was nowhere to be found with nine rushes for 17 yards.

The loss was an ugly one in the national spotlight, and one Packers insider revealed how LaFleur set several new personal lows in the defeat.

Packers HC Matt LaFleur reaches rock bottom in loss to Falcons

The Athletic's Matt Schneidman revealed several stats that will have Packers fans feeling even angrier Thursday night and into Friday.

LaFleur suffered his worst home loss in eight years and also has his first 1-2 start with the Packers, per Schneidman. The head coach only has one losing season in his tenure, and that was an 8-9 mark in 2022. The Packers have seen constant regular-season success under LaFleur, leaving fans shocked following the loss to the Falcons.

The offense was just not clicking, and the running game appears to be nonexistent without Josh Jacobs in the lineup. That makes sense, but also doesn't excuse the team's running backs combining for 17 yards on eight carries.

The defense was also without Micah Parsons as he continues to recover from his knee injury suffered last season. Yet again, that doesn't mean the Falcons should have carved up the Packers in Green Bay.

LaFleur and his team needed overtime to beat the New York Jets in Week 2 and now get extra rest before heading to Tampa Bay in Week 4. Losing to Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers could mean LaFleur finds himself on the hot seat even after all his past success.

Steven Kubitza

Steven Kubitza is a Cleveland, Ohio, native with over a decade in the news industry. His work has been featured on Yahoo Sports, FOX Sports, and FanSided, among other outlets. He is a lifelong Browns fan who is convinced the team will turn things around at some point in the next 50 years

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