On Thursday night, the Lions put the NFC North on notice that they are the team to beat in 2023 when they dominated the Green Bay Packers, 34-20 at Lambeau Field. The score wasn’t even a true measure of Detroit’s dominance, however, as they jumped out 27-3 at the half and never really looked back, much to the disgust and dismay of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff | SCREENSHOT: NFL/YouTube
After his team fell to second place in the division at 2-2, LaFluer was quick to take his team to task. He called their performance “embarrassing”.
“We’ve gotta block a hell of a lot better,” Matt LaFleur told sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung. “It’s very humbling and embarrassing right now… We’ve gotta be able to look each other in the eye, man to man, and give it up for one another this whole second half. I want to see this team fight.”
Packers quarterback Jordan Love, tasked with replacing the departed Aaron Rodgers, had looked sharp thus far this season, including an impressive comeback win in week 3. But against the Lions, he was mediocre at best, going 23-of-36 for 246 yards with one TD and two INTs for a 69.9 rating.
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LaFleur’s anger carried over into the postgame press conference, where he was quick to fire off a shot at a reporter’s question.
“I mean, we sucked Pete,” said LaFleur to the reporter. If I knew, it wouldn’t have happened. That’s a BS question, man.”
There were some bright spots for Green Bay. Their young receiving corps continues to grow along with Jordan Love and represent the Packers’ future. WR Romeo Doubs caught nine passes for 95 yards, and rookie Jayden Reed added three catches for 55 yards, for Green Bay, who will next face the Raiders in Las Vegas on Monday Night Football.
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