Bears 31 Packers 27 Game Balls & Lame Calls
The Packers collapse in Chicago. Will heads roll?
By Kalani Jones
This one hurts. A lot.
I think this one stands out. Green bay is no stranger to post season heartbreak. To me, the 2014 NFC Championship Game stands alone.
Does this one take spot #2 now?
I think it has too. There's the 2020 NFC Championship Game, where a legitimate Super Bowl contender fell to the buzzsaw that was that Tampa Bay defense, and Tom Brady at QB. After that game, I had to take a long drive around town to clear my head.
In 2021, the Packers lost at home to San Francisco, another year where they looked like true contenders. Instead, they failed to overcome the snow and their own special teams.
But this one... This one hurts.
Game Balls
Jordan Love
Absolutely zero blame should go to Jordan Love in this game, to me. You may disagree, but when your QB throws for 323, four touchdowns and no interceptions...what else is there to ask of him? Yes, the offense failed at the end of the game... There's a sting to that. I'm still not sure how the first half offense and the second half offense were the same team. Are we sure there wasn't some jersey swapping going on behind the scenes?
Love made some amazing throws in this game. The Packers have their franchise QB, one that has carried them to the playoffs three years in a row. What is needed to carry them further? That's not for me to know.
The Receivers
Man, these WRs came to play.
Maybe Romeo Doubs could sense that this would be his final game in a Packers uniform. He certainly left it all out there on the field. 8 catches, 124 yards and a touchdown later... I'll miss 87 out there in the Green and Gold, with his guardian cap and his even keeled demeanor. Maybe they find a way to keep him in Green Bay for another year, but I doubt it. And maybe he just earned the Packers an even better comp pick in 2027 with his performance tonight.
It wasn't quite a breakout for Golden, but he finally got his first touchdown in the NFL, and in spectacular fashion. And maybe proved that he should have been a bigger part of the offense all along? Food for thought.
Christian Watson and Jayden Reed both added another touchdown and a couple explosives. Even without Doubs, the Packers have a killer receiving corp to look forward to seeing return to the field.
The Defense for Three Quarters
Through three quarters, the defense had only allowed six points. To a playoff team. In their own stadium. I don;t care who that team was, or frankly, what came after that. This loss isn't on the defense.
They should have been able to, for lack of a better word, coast to an easy victory, while the offense and the special teams did their part. That's complimentary football. That's winning football. Don't believe me? In the second half, the Packers only had one run gain more than a single yard.
Did they give up 25 points in the fourth quarter? Yup. Should they have still won the game? Yup. Don't blame the defense.
Lame Calls
The Special Teams
I'm tired, boss.
I'm tired of the same old s^@t from the Packers special teams. I'm tired of the rotations. I'm tired of the Packers suddenly realizing they have an All-Pro returner, or that returner suddenly deciding to play that role when the games "matter". I'm tired of yet another player (Josh Jacobs) coming out of nowhere to take those reps.
I'm tired of the missed kicks. I'm tired of losing games because of them. Seven points left off the field, because of one Brandon McManus. His first kick was 55 yards, in windy Chicago. Okay, fine. The 44 yarders and the extra point? No empathy. It's playoff football. You've got to make those. A championship team makes those kicks, and moves on because of it.
I'm tired of the lack of care that the Packers demonstrate in special teams, time after time. Season after season. Look at the Seahawks, the Rams, the elite teams of the NFL. They care about special teams. They have elite special teams.
I would never in a million years say that I won't watch the Packers next season. Hell, I'll be watching replays of this game this week. But if Rich Bissacia is the special teams coordinator next season, I'll know that this is not a team that will ever be able to claim it did all it could to win championships.
The Second Half Offense
Yes, I've sung the praises of Jordan Love and the passing offense. They struggled mightily in the second half. Two things can be true.
The offensive line has a big part in this. I mentioned it once, but it bears repeating that the Packers had only one positive run in the second half. Just... I don't know. I don't know how that is allowed to happen. The Packers have faced blitzes all season. This isn't some revolutionary new thing that the Bears just figured out how to do. I don't understand how four straight punts were allowed to happen. Which leads me to...
Matt LaFleur
This game falls at LaFleur's feet. There's no injury excuse this time. There's no way to hide from it. They had this game.
The lack of adjustment to the blitzes killed the Packers last night. There's no way to deny that, and nowhere else to point the blame.
I can't pretend to sit here and tell you that they should keep him or fire him. I don't have a crystal ball, I don't have a way to know which path is the right one. And make no mistake, there is a definite fork in the road for the Packers organization. They can clean house, or stay the course, and keep MLF on the hot seat.
Three and Out
-- The Packers would have the 20th pick in the draft, but they get Micah Parsons instead. Yes, it's still worth it. We'll have to wait for the 52nd pick to actually make an improvement to the roster. Green Bay has very minimal cap room to make free agency moves, so don't hold your breath for those. There will still be plenty of news regarding extensions and restructuring to current contracts though.
-- The Bears will move on to play either the Eagles or the 49ers next week, and I wish them nothing but the worst in their future endeavors. Our opponent to be, the Seahawks, will face the Rams or 49ers. Do I care who wins that one? Not really, no. I guess the Rams? Check back with me later.
-- I've had such a blast writing Game Balls & Lame Calls this season for Cheesehead TV. I hope you all had just as much fun hearing from me week in and week out. For as tumultuous a season as Green Bay has had, I knew I could always share the frustrating lows and euphoric highs with you all. Another season is in the books, and although it didn't end as any of us hoped, I had my share of fun.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Co-Owner of the thirteen time world champion Green Bay Packers. Sometimes I write about them. Follow me on Twitter at https://x.com/kjones_in_co and on Substack for film breakdowns!
__________________________
Comments (208)
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 06:44 am
OUR SPECIAL TEAMS ARE SPECIAL
MC MISS. 3 kicks. Missed. Who else is paying this guy ..
3 Kicks 7 points.
GAME OVER AT HALF IF HE MAKES HIS KICK
PLAY ALL YEAR. THEN ONE GAME MISS 3 KICKS
LAST YEAR MISSED AT PHILLY IN THE PLAYOFFS AT 37 or 38 yarder.
I think MLF pissed him off earlier in the year and he was waiting to get back at him.
Body language says it all. Untrustworthy….
I bet Crosby still makes those kicks today……..
MLF 500 since Rodger’s left
Wilson 1 carry yesterday. Are you kidding me……..
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 07:04 am
Really!
You think McManus missed kicks on purpose because he was 'pouting'?
WTF?
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 07:55 am
Yes I do
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 08:41 am
You've obviously never played a Team sport.
rstain99
January 11, 2026 at 07:53 am
Sorry Kalani, but when your QB doesn't inspire your team I have to disagree with you. Week after week same thing he locks in on receivers its all or nothing with him. Just getting out of the huddle with 15 seconds to see what the defense is doing is a chore. He runs the clock to 1 and 2 seconds this has to be a MLF trait as Rodgers did it as well. That was the softest 4 TD game ever, Bears did everything they could to give you the game second half as well. Offensive line besides the first and maybe second set of downs got dominated, there is no intermediate routes in this offense by receivers, Musgrave could have really established himself but was a no show. They don't know situational football, Valentine cemented that with his interception 4th down and 5, I believe at 40 yard line? Kids on the playground would have knocked it down, no maybe there was a bonus involved. Knock it down!. My hope ? MLF gone, Gute (first round brain dead GM) gone, Gary, I will drive him to the airport today, gone. Nixon and his stupid penalties gone. O line needs a jock check coming out of halftime they left their testicals in the locker room. Football is adjustments MLF made none, Bears did game over. Soft team that is a reflection of the coach, blocking and tackling basics of football.
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 10:15 am
Love is a "good" QB and thats about it till he proves himself on a bigger stage than seventh seeds and reg season...when things go south he isn't the one to pull the team through...seen enough now to know he has done growing as a QB and then we get to MLF....he has flatlined as an innovative coach a few years ago...there is more to being a "young genius" to lead a pro team in NFL...toughness should matter, which he certainly doesn't have or show....can you imagine the guys looking to him on the sidelines seemingly about to cry and staring at that f*kn play sheet in these fourth quarters of games going south??
4thand10
January 11, 2026 at 08:19 am
I can’t say I disagree with some of it. The McKaskis paying him would make sense. This was the Bears super bowl afterall.
dobber
January 11, 2026 at 09:34 am
"This was the Bears super bowl afterall."
Yeah, that's not right.
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 10:17 am
the bears decided enough was enough and made big time changes and went an got a real coach..they will be tough for years now...Packs heading in the opposite direction unfortunately...
Guypack56
January 11, 2026 at 01:46 pm
Matt LaFleur was 47-19 in regular season with Aaron Rodgers. He was 2 - 3 in the playoffs and 0 SB
Since, without ARod, he is 29 - 21 in regular season - barely making playoffs and is 1-3 in the playoffs with no SB.
His teams has gotten worst records although the quality players have been added.
The Packers have to take this into account before extending him. We are wasting good teams windows and coaching is always one thing or another but never the HC. Time is now to to make the appropriate changes. We will be watching Mr. Policy...
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 06:46 am
A soft team.
NFL. ALMOST LIKE THE NBA. JUST LIKE LE BORN LIKES IT
SOFT NBA. SOFT NFL.
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 06:48 am
Le born family betting on games ….whos beting on nfl games. …..need to start following some of that.
5-3 at home. A joke
A joke
Next year 9 home games there go 9-0
One last thing
The Vikings won 9 games with 3 so so QBs. 9. We won 9. With a 250 million dollar qb
Think about that
gsd3
January 11, 2026 at 07:04 am
While the qb is the straw that stirs the drink, it is a team that wins games. Every facet of the Vikings is superior to the Packers except the qb, safety, and lb positions.
Packers weakness are OL, DL, and CB. It's amazing to me that they got as far as they did with the shortcomings they have in these areas.
Special teams has always been a nightmare.
Not saying they should fire MLF and Gutey or not. But RB definitely has to go.
4thand10
January 11, 2026 at 08:27 am
Josh Jacobs does not need to go. But big needs on OL and cb. And of course kicker.
mrtundra
January 11, 2026 at 08:45 am
He meant Rich Bissacia.
gsd3
January 11, 2026 at 09:16 am
RB means Rich Bisaccia......
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 06:53 am
MLf on the sideline for falcons loss. To pats in Super Bowl
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 07:29 am
"MLf on the sideline for falcons loss".
NewsFlash!
So was Kyle Shanahan, and you'd never see him playing 'Not to Lose" like LaFluke has exhibited in his entire time in Green Bay.
Shanahan learned something from it, LaFluke didn't!
NFLfan
January 11, 2026 at 06:57 am
Heads will not roll-THAT is the problem.
It's not only MLF, it's the entire Murphy system, Policy, Gute and MLF
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 07:14 am
Bingo!
Totally agree that it's the Murphy System that put us here, but (despite his comments) still holding out hope that Policy will come through, the next 24 -36 hours should tell us something.
How can anyone watch a 5-game collapse and not be pissed? This team needs a new attitude!
NFLfan
January 11, 2026 at 07:37 am
Unfortunately, Policy is Murphy's protege. He is part of the same group.
murf7777
January 11, 2026 at 08:02 am
Why do you think he will think and act like Murphy? Most people are different and I expect he is as well.
Coldworld
January 11, 2026 at 08:08 am
We will find out if he’s his own man or simply a guy who hit his position by pandering to Murphy. There is no escape for him. He either moves decisively or is shown to be simply another product of Murphy surrounding himself with yes men and flatterers.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 08:51 am
He might be NFLfan, but I'm hoping he's more 'Like Father, like Son!
There's no way Carmen would have put up with this bullshit!
4thand10
January 11, 2026 at 08:21 am
IDK, McManus makes those kicks and we wouldn’t be having this discussion.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 08:55 am
I don't know, man!
Over the past few weeks all we've heard was "we gotta score touchdowns, not field goals!
You can't do that when playing conservative, not-to-lose, football!
You gotta' go for the throat!
egbertsouse
January 11, 2026 at 09:13 am
Yes we would.
ralm47
January 11, 2026 at 12:58 pm
NO! 55 yards, and 44 yards in the wind. An extra point snapped high and behind the holder. A defense that plays soft zone when ever you get even 3 points ahead. Players setting in their zone watching players run right by them "He's not really in my zone, let the other guy get him." Then a couple plays later, he uncovers his guy to go chase somebody that already has 2 guys chasing him, and the uncovered guy gets a TD. You have a QB.that doesn't know how to change the play, (at the line, or when the receiver is covered), and watches the receiver the whole play. And some times, when the receiver is covered, he throws the ball anyway. You have a coach that doesn't know what a play fake, draw, or outside run is. Then, he'll call a pitch back run, add another 4 or 5 yards for the back to pick up a needed 1 or 2 yards, like a pro defense isn't quick enough to react that. But yea, lets blame the kicker.
jlc1
January 11, 2026 at 07:10 am
Game ball to fans. I want to reflect on being a fan. As fans we believe, together some times, alone always. That belief makes hope possible, one of the warmest feelings a person can have.
My belief in MLF Packers teams is lost. We can see the specifics of this, and other, losses on this site and elsewhere. The coach preached finishing. The team in all three phases either could not or would not do that. Belief in that message failed on the field
I will have hope now and again for this team but it will be hollowed out and exposed as false by my lack of true belief in MLF. My only belief now is in change, and there lies hope.
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 10:20 am
well said and im done caring much about this team until I see they care about the fans who put up with this B.S...
GreenandBold
January 11, 2026 at 08:54 pm
Do you think after that stunning loss and four others to end the season the players trust and believe in LaFleur ? That is the question .
WD
January 11, 2026 at 07:14 am
It has been quite a season and we made the playoffs. The daggers to the offense were the loss of Tucker Kraft and Zach Tom/
The daggers to the defense were the loss of Devonte Wyatt and Mica Parsons. And,of course just when you think you have a reliable kicker....then you don't.
It is amazing that the Packer's came so close.
Let's be honest, the young QB of the Bears may be the best QB in the league. We now know the Bears young TE is the best in the league.
Look at the bright side: The rivalry will be on steroids well into the future! Moreover, if we stay healthy there is plenty of room for legitimate optimism.
. My pick for next year will still be the Green Bay Packers. Don't forget we are still the youngest team in the league. So....Wait til next year!
jlc1
January 11, 2026 at 07:22 am
Wait til next year for more of this? I'll pass.
Nobuttkiss
January 11, 2026 at 07:38 am
Tucker Kraft and Micha Parsons would not have made a difference in this game. It was a total usual team collapse in the second half where once again the special teams played like scared girls and our trenches stopped blocking and protecting.
Cheesetony
January 11, 2026 at 07:53 am
While neither guy would have helped the OL or special teams, Tucker and Micah are absolutely difference makers. Maybe if we were able to put Caleb on his ass a few times, things might have changed.
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 08:01 am
They would have but didn’t
If my aunt had balls she would be my uncle
Starrbrite
January 11, 2026 at 09:53 am
Completely agree-they were the missing ingredient—plus Haversik may have been a difference maker too.
LLCHESTY
January 11, 2026 at 07:43 am
"Let's be honest, the young QB of the Bears may be the best QB in the league."
🤣🤣🤣 Thanks, I needed that laugh!
Coldworld
January 11, 2026 at 08:04 am
He’s a less talented Willis at this point. That makes the second collapse in a month against him even more telling. Hafley wilted as much as his boss. This whole edifice is nothing more than a rotten facade that’s been propped up by serial excuses in the face of repeating evidence for 3/4 of a decade.
LLCHESTY
January 11, 2026 at 08:25 am
It was 21-6 when Hopper had that interception and the Packers offense went 13 yards in 5 plays and two 3 and outs previously. Then followed that up with another 3 and out on their next drive. I don't a defense that wouldn't be roasted after that kind of ineptitude on offense. Losing Cooper might have been a bridge too far at that point.
Speaking of Cooper I do blame Hafley for not putting him in more situations to make big plays. Even when Parsons was healthy Hafley could've have been using Cooper on blitzes and sim pressures like he did the year before. Maybe it was because of the CB situation but he played it safer down the stretch than he did last year.
egbertsouse
January 11, 2026 at 08:04 am
He’s better than Love at this point. Love is a great stats guy but when the game is on the line he brain locks.
bassrock
January 11, 2026 at 10:13 am
I was saying the same thing. Love in year 6 or 7 has not been any better than year 2 as a starter. Williams as much as can't stand him keeps developing. Also did you see how he show fire while Love has his usual no emotion smug face look all game. He did play a great half but not in the 2nd half.
kozmo
January 11, 2026 at 10:22 am
What are you talking about.....Love played his ass off.....he threw for 325 and 4 td's no picks.....hes been elite all year. And if. Reed had of caught that ball its would have been 5 td's
Love is elite
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 10:23 am
correct..ive said a few times now, Love has flatlined as a QB...he is what he is now and shown no growth as a QB or a leader...and neither has MLF...
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 07:47 am
Very philosophical, and that's fine, I'm sure your teachers will be impressed.
But waiting for that 'youngest team in the league' made of players that are either poorly coached or not good enough, and a coaching staff that can't find their ass with both hands? Good Luck!
A good amount of those "young" guys will be gone this year as their rookie contracts run out, and it'll happen again next year, it's the normal 4-5 year cycle!
Without some serious changes, you'll be waiting a lot longer than "Next Year"!
baldski
January 11, 2026 at 01:59 pm
Justin Mosqueda of the Acme Packers agrees with you. He says that this is the best you will see the Packers for 4-5 years due to the salary cap. They will lose some very good players.
Since'75
January 11, 2026 at 09:08 am
"So....Wait til next year!" - WD
Yes, now we can be like the Bears..."We'll get em next year,
******
How the standards have lowered, Thanks Murph.
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 10:21 am
where'd ya get that kool aid , Packer pro shop....you gotta be a casual...
Major Snafu
January 11, 2026 at 02:17 pm
Give up the young crap. Were young because were forced to play un drafteds and 4,5,6 round picks versus acquiring free agents here and there to fill key positions of need and thus making the age higher.
Draft and development means your playing cheap ball and passing up bringing in talent to help.
Parsons was not a draft and develop but was too costly. The teams future was mortgaged for one guy.
Thus there's a fine managerial line from free agents we can afford and rookies who we don't know if they will develope.
Vachio
January 11, 2026 at 07:22 am
I hate to say it, but this is exactly how I expected the game to go. We've seen it play out EXACTLY like this time after time. Other coaches and players know this team will collapse faster than a flimsy chair under your obese aunt's ample backside when it's crunch time. They expect it. The other sideline never loses confidence because they count on the fact that collapse is coming. I guarantee you, every opposing coach is telling their players before the game, "Don't worry if we're down in the 4th quarter. They're going to choke." And that, brothers and sisters, is a coaching problem. When your team consistently chokes more often than a white house intern, that is a coaching problem.
I don't know if Policy will make a change or not, but there are some tempting choices out there right now that might make him pull the trigger. Harbaugh, obviously. Stefanski without a dysfunctional owner would probably be awesome. I'd LOVE to see Anthony Campanile as a head coach. Time will tell.
fthisJack
January 11, 2026 at 08:04 am
The Flower can only coach one half of a football game. If you look at the scores there is little scoring in one half of almost every game. And his short yardage plays are run Jacobs into the pile and hope he finds a hole. Pathetic. He needs to be removed along with that pathetic ST coach. He has been totally incompetent. Start fresh.
I actually thought that Willis might have made the difference in the 4th quarter with his legs. Chicago would have been totally unprepared for what he brings to the table. Too bad the coach can't think outside the box.
Coldworld
January 11, 2026 at 08:05 am
49ers, the Buccaneers, now the Bears. Teams LaFleir simply couldn’t help contriving to lose to.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 08:12 am
Vachio,
The minute they stepped on the field for the second half I thought it was over, their demeanor had changed, and the 'Play Not to Lose" play-calling was immediately evident in their first 3-N-Out series! Then, I had to sit and watch my fears come true!
I love Josh Jacobs, a true Packer, he has the right attitude, but maybe he no longer has the tools? The Raiders beat the shit out of that guy, and to LaFleur he seems like the proverbial Security Blanket, but the blanket might have a hole in it!
The D-backs played one of their worst games I've seen, chaos, guys bunched together while leaving gaping holes elsewhere, nobody turning their heads looking for the ball, and Trevon Diggs played ONE SNAP? WTF?
After a week of listening to all the bullshit, last night was the first time I didn't care if Hafley leaves GB.
Do you even need me to comment on ST? Bissacci is another one of LaFluke's security blankets, and Assistant Head Coach. My ass! He's a liability, and has never been anything but that.
Over the last couple weeks I've joked a lot about the Lions overtaking the Vikings as 'Chokers of the NFC North", now I have a plate of Crow sitting in front of me, the Packers grabbed that title last night!
Time to clean house!
4thand10
January 11, 2026 at 08:38 am
The coach can’t run the ball for them in the second half. The coach didn’t miss crucial kicks. The Bears gifted them field position on the 40….Choking is some superstitious mumbo jumbo that announcers talk about. But 2nd half adjustments are a thing. The only glaring mistake I think MLF made was not giving the extra OL eligible receiver more shots especially in blocking with a suspect OL…chicago wasn’t expecting that and did not plan for that. The other thing I was thinking about this game….what happened to a full back??
jlc1
January 11, 2026 at 09:01 am
Disagree. MLF could have given the team more attitude. The Bears got angry and even, the Pack players lay down. MLF said he preached finishing all week. The players didn't. Is that because they at a basic level don't believe in him? Seems so.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 09:11 am
4thand10,
You're kidding, Right?
LaFluke's gimmick plays always work great, he's one of the best at those. Or NOT!
dobber
January 11, 2026 at 11:04 am
I was critical of the Packers running the ball at stacked boxes in the second half last night, but there needs to be recognition from Love that they need to get out of those plays. Is that all on Love? Probably not.
ralm47
January 11, 2026 at 01:41 pm
If the Bears stack the box, Love needs to change the play.I don't think he knows how to do that-
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 03:44 pm
Nope he doesn’t…that’s why MLFs record looks so good, Arod knew and changed plays he knew wouldn’t work…
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 03:46 pm
But the coach continued to call those running plays and setting them up time and again for 3rd and long…THEY COULDNT RUN THE BALL!! Jacobs is not what he once was either..
Since'75
January 11, 2026 at 09:16 am
"I hate to say it, but this is exactly how I expected the game to go."
It means more if you say that ....before the game.
dobber
January 11, 2026 at 09:53 am
My prediction was that if the Packers won, it would look like Dallas a couple years ago. I didn't think a close game played in the Packers favor.
Vachio
January 11, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Good thing I made multiple comments during the week leading up to the game that my biggest worry was the team finding a way to lose after building a solid lead. Try not to overwork that last brain cell, dude.
kozmo
January 11, 2026 at 10:23 am
I dont know if they make a change or not BUT this is the be best destination for a coach, the packers are loaded.....
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 10:28 am
if the Packers are so loaded then it really is the coaching..and I dont buy that they are so loaded anyways...
Major Snafu
January 11, 2026 at 02:34 pm
Not a coach out there that wants this shit show. First, we have no money, no first round picks for two years, no viable QB.
Second, the holes to fill are many. This isn't a team with play makers and talent.
Hairball and others would pass on this team. Hell the Titans have better talent and close to being a force.
Major Snafu
January 11, 2026 at 02:23 pm
The other coaches see the film and know their ace card is pass pass pass. Bears did nothing until they gave up the run and went to rushing 5 or 6. They made calculated plan B's that worked. Johnson knew a couple of plays and your back in the game with lots of time on the clock.
LeFleur guessed he could go conservative and run the clock out.
One coach had it correct.
Starrbrite
January 11, 2026 at 03:03 pm
Right on concerning Stefanski.
CanPackFan
January 11, 2026 at 05:26 pm
I guess we're going to find out if Policy is a "kiss as*" and status quo President like his "mentor" Mark Murphy was?
GreenandBold
January 11, 2026 at 08:56 pm
Are you calling my Aunt a fat ass !?
blacke00
January 11, 2026 at 07:23 am
it's really tragic when I can tell my wife at half time what will happen at the start of the 3rd Quarter. I told her they will 3 and out, that no adjustment were or for that matter identified. I knew at that moment that the Packers would lose. I know you don't have to believe me but it's true. The truth is in the "patterns".
That being said, I agree the OL is a serious problem. The players are mediocre at best. The OL coaches are bad ( I know I just said it) The reason is Gutekunst. The man is just not giving La Fleur the horses. Gute does not take drafting OL and DL (for that matter) seriously. I have been complaining to wife (of all people) of this problem for years.
Until the Packers get tough in the trenches on both sides of the ball this team will never get over the hump (so to speak).
BTW, there is really no love lost be tween La Fleur and Ben Johnson. Did you notice Johnson at the post game handshake....that man is an A*****e.
LLCHESTY
January 11, 2026 at 07:45 am
So it's Gutey's fault they blew games after being up 16-6 and 21-9 in the 4th quarter? 🙄 Your anger is misplaced.
Oxymoron 3339
January 11, 2026 at 09:59 am
Gute’s drafts have been average. Can’t win a SB with average.
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 07:57 am
He is smarter than everyone
He’s a computer programmer by trade
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 09:19 am
blacke00,
Great thing that your wife is so understanding.
My Basset hound just sits 10 feet away, looks at me like I'm fucking nuts, and wonders why I'm yelling at the TV.
dobber
January 11, 2026 at 09:53 am
My daughter came into the room in the 4th quarter and said, "I thought the game was over. You got quiet."
ralm47
January 11, 2026 at 01:45 pm
Amen. Good one-
kozmo
January 11, 2026 at 10:24 am
Yep line was not great...but they were pretty banged up I think....
Deadwood
January 11, 2026 at 07:28 am
We win the turnover battle. We hold them to under 100 yards rushing. JL goes 4/0. We lose. This is about as bad as it gets. I’m sick.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 07:35 am
Same here, Deadwood!
The Packers beat the Bears three times, and beat themselves twice in the process!
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 08:03 am
Coaching. Being soft
Nobuttkiss
January 11, 2026 at 07:41 am
The Packers have become the Bears. This management and coaching staff both suck.
jlc1
January 11, 2026 at 09:02 am
OUCH! The truth really hurts.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 09:24 am
Yeah!
No Shit!
NFLfan
January 11, 2026 at 09:49 am
Management 101-Rot starts at the top----Murphy. He chose weak men whom he could control and offered them positions that no contending team would have offered.
They all scratch each other's backs, no accountability.
Cheesetony
January 11, 2026 at 07:46 am
Can anyone explain to me the value that Rich Bisaccia adds to this team? I won't hold my breath waiting.
If the 49ers win, they will go to Seattle, and the Bears will play the Rams.
Since'75
January 11, 2026 at 07:57 am
He'll probably be dismissed in a day or two.
jlc1
January 11, 2026 at 09:03 am
I hope he has compnay.
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 07:58 am
We should be number 1 or 2 seed
We won 9 games. The Vikings and lions won 9 games
We got into the playoffs because of a tie
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 08:04 am
The value is his unit lost to the Bears twice …..
And yesterday missed 3 kicks.
egbertsouse
January 11, 2026 at 08:07 am
He’s Flower’s poker buddy.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 09:26 am
Oh really? Who's poking who?
ralm47
January 11, 2026 at 01:47 pm
That's funny. Good one Houndog-
Since'75
January 11, 2026 at 07:55 am
The 2020 NFC Championship Game is where Amos(1) and Kevin King(2) gave up 3 easy TD passes, spotting the Bucs 21 points.
From memory....
Amos let Brate (knowingly) slide right by him into the end zone, leaving him wide open.
King totally miss-timing his jump (early) against Evans in the end zone.
And King (being King) getting toasted on a long TD pass.
Soon after, Gute signed King to a one year free agent contract.
jlc1
January 11, 2026 at 09:05 am
The D call on the King play was criminal. It was single high and TB was in the 2 minute drill. Just bad coach's call. Sound familuar?
Since'75
January 11, 2026 at 09:17 am
So was Amos and Kings play
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 07:59 am
Kevin king or Tj watt in the draft. What a joke.
CanPackFan
January 11, 2026 at 05:28 pm
Another Festivus (Gutey) miracle! NOT!
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 08:00 am
You pass on Tj watt. Home grown for freaking Kevin king
Strat
January 11, 2026 at 10:57 am
They should never live that down. Everyone on the planet knew he was the pick except the people that have the authority to actually make it happen.
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 08:00 am
Amos. X Bear guy you knew that would happen in a big game. Come on
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 08:05 am
How about Seattle GM. Bring him back home
Oxymoron 3339
January 11, 2026 at 10:03 am
Yes to that, or pluck someone off KC or PHL GM tree.
Starrbrite
January 11, 2026 at 10:03 am
I think we wanted Schneider, but the Seahawks owner (I think Paul Allen - now deceased), wouldn’t allow him to be interviewed.
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 08:06 am
MLf on the sideline in falcons vs pats game falcons winning 28-3. And lost
Same thing yesterday and a few weeks before that
jaxpackfan
January 11, 2026 at 08:34 am
Kyle Shanahan was on the same sideline. In a more responsible role.
LLCHESTY
January 11, 2026 at 08:06 am
A culture change is needed, this team has lacked a killer instinct most of the year and this kind of loss normally takes a team a year to get over. If LaFleur stays they will most likely have the yips in close game situations and they will lose another window. I don't know how you keep him without extending him and I don't know how you extend him after that fiasco.
dobber
January 11, 2026 at 08:28 am
Bingo.
And this is why I think they keep the assistants until the next HC decides who to let go. If you promote from within, you don't change the culture.
This is a pretty desirable job. There are good players all around the roster--which is my primary beef with LaF at this stage: this team is less than the sum of its parts. People are pissing on Jordan Love above, but you can win with Love. Parsons will come back.
The OL and CB rooms need some help, but I think the OL group would benefit from new coaching. Walker played his way out of any chance of getting a contract from the Packers the second half of the season. They'll be drafting CB and OL pretty heavily this spring.
packerbackerjim
January 11, 2026 at 08:45 am
“The team is less than the sum of its parts.” Indeed. GB lost games in spectacular fashion even when not hit by the injury bug.
advdj76
January 11, 2026 at 09:17 am
Exactly. MLF is good play designer, but he is not good play caller. As soon as something bad happens he is totally lost. Just look at the usage of players. We are told that some players are not ready, like Golden. Melton was ahead of him until he was hurt. Same with Van Ness, Sorell and Oliver now. Yet, when they get the chance they are better then people that were playing ahead of them. Hopper is a new example, he is miles better then Mc Duffie, especially in coverage, but he doesn't get a chance.
Regarding Hafley, last year he was really good, but even then, he was playing soft. This year even with Parsons we were playing soft on back end. Same as when Barry was dc. Maybe this is the type of defence that MLF wants to play.
As for special teams, I don't know what to say. It is really embarrassing, and for me it is on MLF, he hired RB, and it is his guy.
In the end I think that MLF needs to go. All our loses in the play off since he came to GB are almost the same, and lot of loses in regular seasons are pretty similar. In my opinion he is not good enough, notwithstanding his regular season score.
jlc1
January 11, 2026 at 09:08 am
Double bingo. If MLF goes, as he should, then it may take time for the new coach to get his team. I fear this loss, these 5 losses really, may lead to the Pack wandering the wilderness for much more than a year.
dobber
January 11, 2026 at 09:44 am
This is a team that bought into the now last August with Parsons.
There won't be much honeymoon if there's a coaching change, and I suspect any new HC will have already been a HC in the league.
NFLfan
January 11, 2026 at 09:56 am
One of the major problems is the Drafter (Gute). He cannot recognize talent esp. in the trenches--
Exhibit A---Gary, LVN, Wooden, Morgan, Banks, Hobbs, Morgan, Savage, Myers, et al.
MLF does not seem to have the aptitude to course-correct in second halves. Where was his 'boss', Murphy, while he struggled (x 7 years) with the above as well as clock management, personnel mgment and more?
Since'75
January 11, 2026 at 09:27 am
"A culture change is needed"
Didn't Murphy do that by putting the President (himself) in charge of football operations instead of the GM?
That didn't work?
**********
GEE, i wonder who might have said that it was a f'd up idea back in 2018?
Yes!!, reverse what Harlan did for Wolf by changing the by laws.
I mean, that didn't work for Wolf and TT....did it? < - dripping sarcasm
So Murphy had the 'vision'.....to change it!!
Like moving Jenkins to center.
Murphy tried to fix what wasn't broke, and broke it, in the process.
The question now is...does Policy have the smarts to give the GM full control back of the team, like Harlan did for Wolf, and then TT?
marpag1
January 11, 2026 at 10:57 am
You're still posting here? I thought you promised to change your handle to "Up until '25"
Since'75
January 11, 2026 at 02:21 pm
That's what you took from that?
It's ok, not everyone is mentality gifted enough to possess the ability of critical thinking to discuss, or have opinions of the topics on hand, football.
Keep your chin up.
That doesn't make you any less of a man.
It just makes you....special 👍
Hang in there!! 😁
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 09:40 am
LLCHESTY,
I agree 100%, but I think the picture is much larger, it's not just about last night's fiasco.
It's about years of not getting up for Big games,
Years of playing down to the competition,
Years of playing 'Not-to-lose' football,
Years of no adjustments and no accountability to stupid shit like Nixon's constant penalties.
Years of you, me, and numerous real Packer fans being tired of mediocrity.
A culture change is not only needed, its paramount!
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 08:08 am
A pole
This game
Or vs Tampa nfc championship game
Or Seattle game
Which is the worse loss
BabeParilli
January 11, 2026 at 08:08 am
We saw a franchise quarterback perform in the clutch last night.
And we saw a future journeyman backup fall apart in the clutch last night.
Caleb Williams in the clutch played like a franchise QB against a tired Packer defense - tired due to Jordan leading 3 three and outs and a 1 five and out on the other of the first 4 Packer possessions of the 2nd half - and the loss of Edgerrin Cooper to injury hurt the Packer defense as well.
And Jordan Love in the clutch played like a career backup.
Jordan Love 15 of 31 in the 2nd half - MISERABLE 48.3% completion percentage.
First 4 Packer Possessions at the start of 2nd half:
3 and out. Punt (3rd quarter)
3 and out. Punt (3rd quarter)
5 and out. Punt (3rd quarter)
3 and out. Punt (4ht quarter)
Jordan 3 completions on 10 pass attempts (including the creative Lafleur play call pass to Kinnard) over these 4 possessions - a miserable 30% accuracy!!.
Just 3 runs over those 4 possessions, including a nice 6 yard run by Jacobs on 2nd and 4 for the only first down on the 4 possessions. The ONLY FIRST DOWN IN 17+ MINUTES where Jordan disappeared!
And who were the 2 penalties on during these 4 possessions??
Jordan Love - twice for intentional grounding!
Even if the Packers did not score on these 4 possessions if Jordan could have at least sustained 1 or 2 drives on these 4 possessions the Packers could have taken 5 or 10 more minutes off the clock.
Over those 17 inept Jordan Love minutes instead of Jordan putting the game out of reach for the Packers the Bears wore down the Packers defense, but the Packers defense still held their own and a 21-6 lead at half was still 21-9 when Whelan punted with 12 minutes and 54 seconds left in the 4th quarter.
And then another penalty on Jordan for delay of game - pushing McManus field goal attempt - which McManus would miss narrowly - back 5 yards!
And the only score that Jordan was to lead the Packers to in the ENTIRE 2ND HALF - WITH THE GAME ON THE LINE - was only possible because Jacobs kick return set the Packers up at their 45 yard line and a short field for Jordan.
Jordan played like he played in the 4th quarter against the 49ers in 2023 and the Eagles last year - lowest passer rating in playoff game in Packers history.
In this game, Lafleur's creative 1st half play calls set up easy throws for Jordan that any of us could have completed - including 3 of 4 of the TD passes - these padded Jordan's stats, and on paper made Jordan's performance look better than it was. Jordan completed just 24 of 46 pass attempts - that is 52.1%
Take away those 1 and 7 yard TD passes to Doubs and Watson and the short toss to Golden that Golden turned into a 23 yard TD pass by breaking tackles and hurdling tacklers - that was 99% Golden - and that 103.8 passer rating is in the low 80s. Those easy passes and other wide open receivers in 1 on 1 pass coverage are all due to Lafleur's offensive play calling and schemes.
Lafleur has hidden Jordan's weaknesses for 3 years - not an easy task at all. .
No Coach could have done any better given what Gutekunst gave him in Jordan.
The difference posted above in Lafleur's won loss record with Rodgers vs. won loss record with Jordan - both a) overall and b) when pass plays exceed running plays - after all the NFL today is a passing league - is black and white proof.
Gutekunst showered Jordan in top draft choices of receivers, tight ends, running bacs, and offensive lineman, but hasn't helped - Jordan is still processes the field too slow for a franchise NFL quarterback, is immobile, and inaccurate.
Willis is a head and shoulder better player.
Jordan is our Carson Wentz.
Malik is our Jalen Hurts.
egbertsouse
January 11, 2026 at 08:16 am
Love is the worst QB in the playoffs. I thought it was Bryce Young but Young outplayed him yesterday. I think love is around the 17th or 18th best QB in the league. Maybe as low as 20.
murf7777
January 11, 2026 at 08:29 am
4 TD’s?
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 10:34 am
and then the second half??? He's good but no leader on the field...
coolhand
January 11, 2026 at 09:08 am
I don't think it's Love, it's the Flower. Bears D comes up and packs the line, he calls a run up the middle, all shotgun plays, no play action, no quick hitters, many long developing plays and the rush gets to Love. The O line is a disaster, either the players are that bad or is it the coaching? The Flower never seems to adjust his calls when the opponent does in the second half. We have seen this same thing time and time again and nothing changes.
Well I think it IS time to make changes. The Flower has to go.
kozmo
January 11, 2026 at 10:28 am
Love threw for 325 and 4 ads and if reed caught the ball it would have been 5 TD's....the defense gave up 30 points in the 4th quarter....and youre blaming Love?. How many points does and offense have to score to win? Seems like 35 cutting miss fb's would be enough
I will agree with all who are talking about the 3 and out thing thats going on every single game we get the ball on the start of the 3rd........thats rediculous
jlc1
January 11, 2026 at 09:15 am
Well as long as we're rewriting history, taking away this and that to make a specious point, let's have Doubs cover the onside kick. Let's also have McManus hit all his kicks.
coolhand
January 11, 2026 at 10:00 am
And the first game at the Bears was another 2nd half disappearing act by the Packers offense. It never should have come down to the onside kick, but it did and Doubs failed. And numerous other failures led to the loss. Same old story with this team lately.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 09:55 am
Wow, Babe!
Nice post, and pretty damned close to home if not right on!
I'll expect you to be showered with 'Thumbs down', a good number of people here don't like the truth.
egbertsouse
January 11, 2026 at 08:09 am
Just get a coach who doesn’t look like he’s going to start crying fo cripes sake.
WD
January 12, 2026 at 06:55 am
"Just get a different coach" seems to be the only solution the mob is cheering for.
Well cheer up, there are lots of new coaches available from all the other teams firing their coaches.
In the NFL and sports in general coaches are always the scapegoat for a bad season. Or even a great season that doesn't win the Superbowl. I remember the Bucks fired their coach for losing a series in the playoffs. Ironically that year they had the best record in the NBA. it has been all downhill since with several new coaches in between.
If you set the bar as winning a Superbowl every year you are going to be very unhappy. Rule number one. Coaches do not play the game, Players do. Stop making Lafleur the scapegoat. He doesn't kick extra points or field goals, much less block, tackle or throw the ball.
BabeParilli
January 11, 2026 at 08:09 am
Lafleur is not at all the problem.
In Lafleur’s first 3 years with Rodgers as starting QB, Rodgers was 34 wins and 12 losses where Rodgers dropped back to pass more than the Packers ran – that is a 73.9% winning percentage.
In Lafleur’s first 3 years with Jordan as starting QB, Jordan is now 11 wins 19 losses and 1 tie in games where Jordan drops back to pass more than the Packers run - that is a ABSYMAL 37,1% winning percentage!!!
The NFL is still a passing league you cannot be a Super Bowl contender with a quarterback who after 3 years has an ABSYMAL 37,1% winning percentage when the team passes more than it runs in games!!!
Lafleur – a very very smart and aware coach – recognized that Rodgers passing accuracy, arm strength, ability to think and quickly process the field, and agility in the pocket and pocket awareness made passing a winning formula with Rodgers as starer so the Packers passed more than they ran in 46 of the 53 games - that is 86.8% - that Rodgers started under Lafleur in Rodgers first 3 years with Lafleur.
Lafleur – a very very smart and aware coach – recognized that Love had poor passing accuracy, weaker arm strength than Rodgers, an inability to think and quickly process the field, and a lack of agility in the pocket and pocket awareness made passing a losing proposition with Jordan as starter so the Packers have passed more than they ran in just 31 of the 52 games – that is 59.6% - that Jordan has started under Lafleur in Jordan’s first 3 years with Lafleur.
Lafleur's record now after 3 years - 52 games - with Jordan as the starter- OVERALL - whether passes exceed runs or runs exceed passes - is 28 wins 23 losses and 1 tie - 54.8% winning percentage.
Lafleur after 3 years - 53 games - with Rodgers as the starter was 41 wins 12 losses - a winning percentage of 77.4%.
Overall 77.4% winning record with Rodgers after 3 years compared to 54.8% overall winning percentage with 3 years of Jordan starting!!
AND JORDAN HAD A TOP 10 Packer Defense in 2 of the 3 years and this year's 11th ranked defense was in the top 10 through week 16 of 18. The Rams allowed only 20 and 19 points in week 17 and 18 relative to the Packers 41 and 16 points allowed after which the Rams overtook the Packers for the 10th position. Rodgers had a top 10 defense just 3 times in his 15 years as a Packer starter.
And Gutekunst has bent over backwards to gift Jordan with 1st 2nd and 3rd round draft choices on wide receivers - including the 1st receiver in Golden drafted in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002 - tight ends, running back, and offensive lineman.
And then Gutekunst way over pays for a great pass rusher in Micah Parsons because Gutekunst knows Jordan cannot carry the Packers as Rodgers did for 15 years with mediocre and poor defenses.
Jordan is our Carson Wentz.
Malik Willis is our Jalen Hurts.
Trade Jordan like Howie Roseman traded Carson Wentz.
Keep Malik Willis!
Fire Gutekunst!
Since'75
January 11, 2026 at 08:09 am
"Did they give up 25 points in the fourth quarter?.................Don't blame the defense. "
************
25 points given up in the 4th quarter.....no blame there!?!?....LMFAO
Because....that happens all the time around the NFL Kalani?
Excuse the **** out of me, if a defense gives up 25 points in the 4th quarter, they take no blame in a loss?
A lot of teams don't give up 25 points in a whole game.
I don't know where the bar is set to become a sports writer, but holy S.
Listen Kalani...it's your world, paint the sky any color you'd like.
Since'75
January 11, 2026 at 08:11 am
Baby....Your fruit loops are getting soggy.
murf7777
January 11, 2026 at 08:28 am
Interesting take…..that said, go look at DVOA or EPA and you won’t find a top 10 defense. That’s been a reoccurring problem with the Packers since our last SB and Hafley hasn’t changed that enough or hardly at all. Also, the team that is in the top 5 in defense is the team that normally wins the SB.
4thand10
January 11, 2026 at 08:54 am
This.
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 10:37 am
ya know what, this Babe guy is starting to win me over, especially about Love, but he's way too into MLF as some great coach....
fthisJack
January 11, 2026 at 08:12 am
Been a Packer fan for 70 years and loved every minute except for this year. They have found every conceivable way to fuck up a big lead and lose. I blame the head coach and that ST guy that should be selling used cars. I won't be wasting 3 hours on Sundays next year if these morons are back.
murf7777
January 11, 2026 at 08:21 am
I agree with your points, but I'll still dedicate those four or five hours every week. It is a special time to spend with friends and family, which is always a meaningful experience regardless of the outcome.
Plus, I genuinely love the game of football and supporting my Packers. After enduring the tough eras of the 70s and 80s, this current slump is a walk in the park by comparison which based on your age you’ve been through.
SinceLombardi
January 11, 2026 at 09:57 am
I’m 68 I’ve been a fan since I was 9 or 10. At least in the 70s and 80s you kind of knew it was over before it started.
Today’s NFL is different. Things change fast. But we are headed in the wrong direction.
If LeFluer comes back, I would suggest, fishing, hiking, board games or even watching dvd’s of the Lombardi era as suitable family activity choices.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 10:04 am
You're a good guy murf, and I too remember the 70's, 80's, and early 90's! (and the 60's too, shhhh!)
But with 30+ years with Favre, Rodgers, and now Love with only 2 Superbowls, and not even an appearance since 2011?
I don't call that a "Slump", I call that a Crime!
crayzpackfan
January 11, 2026 at 01:12 pm
Should have been to a minimum of 6-7 Super Bowls over the last 30 years.
murf7777
January 11, 2026 at 08:14 am
As many of your know, I’ve supported Matt LaFleur because I value organizational stability and generally believe that "the grass isn’t always greener" with a new regime. However, the last five games have been a breaking point for me. I am exhausted by the constant lack of discipline, poor preparation, and questionable decision-making from both the players and the coaching staff.
His game management has not improved, and he seems unwilling or unable to fix his recurring mistakes. A perfect example was his use of an unnecessary timeout that we desperately needed at the end of the game to attempt a tie. To make matters worse, the team came out of that timeout looking completely unprepared and allowed the clock to run out. Had we handled that better, those extra five yards could have been the difference between a made or missed field goal. I’ve officially joined the "Fire LaFleur" crowd and am ready for a total organizational overhaul.
dobber
January 11, 2026 at 08:22 am
Wow, you and I both going to the other side.
I think they might make a pass at retaining LaF, but demand significant overhaul of the coaching staff. That leaves the question of an extension for LaF up in the air. I suspect LaF won't go for it.
I think LaF will be scooped up right away as a HC for a down-and-out franchise.
I think Stenavich will land an OL job right away.
I don't think they'll elevate Hafley.
murf7777
January 11, 2026 at 08:38 am
I know, some of my friends who have wanted him gone are going to piss their pants when I tell them….LOL. At least I can still laugh this morning. I’m not sure how this will play out, but with Ed Policy as the "new sheriff in town," he’s going to march to the beat of his own drum. This will definitely be a defining moment for his leadership.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 10:15 am
Murf, it will definitely be a defining moment, and his comments last week have me terrified.
He didn't sound anything like his father, and Carmen would have fired the entire staff last night!
I'm a Packer fan in 49er territory, been here a while and saw the 49er's built, for the moment my biggest hope is "Like Father, Like son"!
MooPack
January 11, 2026 at 08:26 am
Come on in boys, the waters' fine.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 10:17 am
Yeah, but maybe a little too Cold or too Hot this morning!
frankthefork
January 11, 2026 at 08:49 am
Here here! Ill drink to that comment. Truly Titanic if Policy doesn't put his stamp on it-PRONTO.
SinceLombardi
January 11, 2026 at 10:06 am
As a side note:
Keeping Mo Drayton for an entire season, Mike Pettine, Joe Barry and Rich Bisaccia for several seasons can also be considered organizational stability.
Speaking of Special Teams: did anyone see Isiah Simmons ( who we cut) make an open field tackle AND block a punt today for Carolina?
Gman1976
January 11, 2026 at 01:05 pm
I'm sorry you had to join us.
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 01:22 pm
Looking at some stats someone posted on bleacher report/ twitter seems maybe the guy was right about MLF….A. Rodgers carried him a few years made him look good…could be…at least Arod would change a stupid play call when he knew one wouldn’t work…
dobber
January 11, 2026 at 08:17 am
When they got to the end of the 3rd quarter at 21-6 and Duvernay returned that punt deep into Packers territory, my heart started to sink. We seem to love Whelan, but he out kicks his coverage way too often. When the Packers kicked to him again after the next possession and he returns for 22 yards? Shit. Ever heard of kicking to the corner? Popping the kick up to force a fair catch?...or at least just kick it out of bounds? Hello, Rich Bisaccia?
I'll be honest. Usually when the Packers lose a night game--which thankfully hasn't been all that much in recent years--I'm pissed off and can't go to bed for awhile. Last night I turned off the TV and went to bed. I was done being mad right about that time and resigned to the fact that this team was going to lose. Even Golden's bolden TD run only lit a flicker of hope.
I'm not one to call for people's jobs in sports...well, except for Luke Fickell, but he had it coming. But the Packers are at a clear "clean break" opportunity with LaFleur: they can't give LaF the extension he's going to want and that his service is going to demand after how they finished these last two seasons. They just can't. They can't bring him back as a lame duck, either.
I'll be surprised if LaF isn't let go today.
I'll also be surprised if they name Hafley as his replacement.
sugarbair
January 11, 2026 at 08:39 am
Gute has to go also. Talent drops off quickly after Parsons. Just look at the "all pro teams" being announced. The rest of the NFL and media world know we have Parsons and nothing else.
jannesbjornson
January 11, 2026 at 10:31 am
Four or Five guys on the ALL PRO team were passed over by this clown to snag the one-trick ponies Gary and Van Ness. Propping Savage in the mix and you do not have a winning formula for a SB challenge.
driftinreno
January 11, 2026 at 02:04 pm
hafley OH HELL NO
Galacticat
January 11, 2026 at 08:19 am
To Matt La Flower: Fuck you, you pathetic FUCKING FUCK!!
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 08:24 am
Lost 3 in a row last year
5 in a row this year
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 08:25 am
7 months to preseason games.
On to that
Snap the ball
January 11, 2026 at 08:26 am
Need KRAFT and PARSONS and WYATT back.
stockholder
January 11, 2026 at 08:38 am
I can blame Love.
He went over the middle at the wrong times
In the 3rd qtr. = Missed wicks I’m sure.
Pocket presence also sucked that quarter.
Doubs is gone unless Love reworks his contract.
Is Doubs a super star ? No-
Then don’t pay him like one.
This loss happened because Cooper went out.
And they couldn’t get off the field.
Pressure is a must.
Missed Kicks cost them the game.
He opened the Door.
Once again we saw borderline players go down in the 4th quarter!
Dump the salary and sign your picks! Stop the give away!
This draft can replace any DEPTH on the OL.
And injuries have become a major sticking point again.
The OL will always have injuries.
(I'd rather see a rotation, than over-payment!)
Sure would beat band-aids.
jlc1
January 11, 2026 at 09:20 am
What pocket i think is a fair question. The OL got totally bullied, every play, run or pass.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 10:24 am
Wicks was out on Concussion protocol, didn't suit up! Just sayin'.
EDIT****** Sorry Stockholder, I initially misinterpreted your meaning of "MISSED"!
Yeah, I'm sure he did!
jannesbjornson
January 11, 2026 at 10:46 am
Nobody missed Wicks, but they sure as hell were missing Golden the past five games. The guy was put on the back burner while his talent simmered. Just dynamic with the ball in his hands. When you look at trends, LaFleur is enabling a stubborn fail rate in the third quarter/second half of games from year one to the present. Policy makes a move to Kleen Haus, or you're stuck commenting about a perpetual loop of losing
the Big Game.
Lare
January 11, 2026 at 08:38 am
Mr. Policy, it’s time.
Does LaFleur have a dog?
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 10:29 am
C'mon Lare! I know where you were going.
Can we please leave dogs out of this?
stockholder
January 11, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Sure would help the immense pressure he's under.
frankthefork
January 11, 2026 at 08:40 am
Kalani thanks and hope to see in 5 months for a spring training update.
Yes Packers fans. Its a sad day for us Green Bay Packers fans on the morning after the windy city Bears came back in the 4th quarter to make another football history classic.
The bad- news is that Matt Lafleur only used about 10 secret playoff plays ( a book of fifty or so proven keepers of yesteryear. The result and failure was to not score 27 points first. A team that scores 27 points in any given game wins 90% of games played-usually.
MLF got conservative in the 4th quarter, letting the Bears feast on his ego. His clock management once again shows, non-logicall and lazy play calling in the final possession. The 2 pass interference plays not call, plus the bears holding was ignored by the officiating zebras. Players also dropped 3 easy open passes. The Defensive play calls by Hafley were awful in the 2nd half too. Blitz more please! I feel sorry for thoses injuried players that had to witness yet again how bad a coach is with a winning % of games at 70 plus, and just 50% in Playoffs. They were puking off camera. A team effort gone wrong in the 4th quarteryep but thats coaching too!. Isn't the 4th quarter when one puts the foot on the gas? One can never have enough points!
MLF has proven to be way below average when it counts the most. This isnt injuries or team or the players. This is on MLF-Pepe La Pue. A handsome, charming, smart flirt not playing attention to his stink!
The good- well some fans were onto this stinker MLF, as early as the Aaron Rodgers era.
MLF is a good coach who can't finish. He keeps assistants like special teams and offensive line coaches doing shit work for too long. MLF has charming words, but little changes.
So the changes that this FO will(should) make are -cut - L. Gary, E. Jenkins, MLF, ST-Bisco, Steny, But kiss, McKinney-maybe, but that guy 20 yep, and more...
So, Mike McCarthy was seen in Chicago this weekend. I do hope the Packers have a Policy for bringing home the Lombardi Trophy again soon with someone well liked, and familiar with a winners mindset...Time to refuel the Dragon, and hope spring grants me some change at the TOP. A sad day indeed. Go Packers Go!
jlc1
January 11, 2026 at 09:23 am
You could have a great play called but if you're OL is pushed back the play never gets off the ground. The OL was awful. Or I should say MLF and his coach's OL sucked.
SinceLombardi
January 11, 2026 at 08:44 am
Game balls? How about to the Bears staff and players? Did you notice the more starters they lost to injury, the more they dug in and fought? Does that look familiar? It shouldn’t.
Lame calls? That would be up to Ed Policy. You could bring Matt LeFluer back for year eight and EXPECT A DIFFERNT RESULT. I think that would be a defining term for insanity.
Let MLF go to Tennessee and make THEM a perennial wildcard contender. We need to clear the air in GB. The stench of repeated failures hangs heavy over Matt LeFluer.
cpabandit
January 11, 2026 at 08:45 am
I don't think there was any Packer fans saying that "the game is over" at halftime. We know our Packers. The opposing team knows the Packers' plays like a book. Every one of us knew the first three plays starting the second half. MLF is so predictable. In my opinion, the Packers defense is awful. Chicago could have completed a lot more passes if the ball was thrown accurately. No pass rush, no pressure at all on the opposing QBs, the secondary doesn't exist. They don't know their jobs. It's nice to interecept but know that it was 4th down and if you knock the ball down you gain forty yards. Shit for brains. Why does the opposing team return the ball to midfield on kick off returns? Why is Jacobs on the specialty team risking getting hurt? Where was Wilson on offense? MLF is a loser and always was. Rodgers made MLF. I cannot imagine how many plays Rodgers changed on the LOS. I fear that there will be no changes to the coaching staff and I fully expect next year to be no different than this year. Losing five consecutive games and losing to teams with three wins will continue to happen next year. It is what it is and won't change. And if they
did win and advanced do you really think they would beat Seattle? The Bears own the Packers.
4thand10
January 11, 2026 at 09:07 am
Rodgers didn’t do shit with the jets and nothing with Pittsburgh…..
edp1959
January 11, 2026 at 09:37 am
Open your eyes Skippy. Rodgers has the Steelers in the playoffs with a better record than Love.
dobber
January 11, 2026 at 10:57 am
Playing in what turned out to be the second-weakest division in the NFL.
ralm47
January 11, 2026 at 02:29 pm
What ever-
4thand10
January 18, 2026 at 09:56 pm
Are they there now?? Didn’t think so. My statement still stands.
BELIEVER
January 11, 2026 at 09:39 am
I agree there was some crap football in the second half. The iffeand defense did enough to win. We left 7 points on the field, once again special teams lost the game. What has to happen to fire Rich Biasca, I just don’t understand why. Misses an extra point the most routine play. Can’t tackle and what the hell is Nixon doing. This is too much….
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 10:43 am
well I got a text after the second half opens with a really pathetic three and out, "here we go again" and I agreed...and then it got worse....and it was mostly expected after three punts in a row...
MooPack
January 11, 2026 at 08:46 am
" complimentary football" is a BS term. All that is is an excuse laden word for we are going to step off the gas and aggressiveness. The offenses job is to score points. The defenses job is to stop points. Period. The OC and DC should give two sh!t$ what the other is doing. Do YOUR job.
Strat
January 11, 2026 at 11:08 am
It is a bullshit term, but it's this season's buzzword term. I hope it goes away after the super bowl.
ralm47
January 11, 2026 at 02:33 pm
Amen. I've been saying that since 1970. (I know, but I didn't get involved in football until then.)
EnemyTerritory
January 11, 2026 at 08:59 am
Sadly I also knew what was coming. I elected to turn off the game after the Nixon boneheaded personal foul in the early third quarter. I chose to watch even more depressing video of the events in my city. I’ve been a defender of the current management team but this game broke that. Policy can do MLF one last favor. He can direct MLF to fire Bissacia as a learning experience on the consequences of failure. When that deed is done Policy can also show MLF the door as lesson reinforcement. Hafley will leave on his own. I still believe in the GM but his contract should not be renewed until late next year if at all. I think the injuries sapped the depth and promise of the team. However, last year when the Lions faced an IR list longer than our 25 team, they fought ferociously to the end. The 49ers have been a MASH unit for a few years yet continue to excel. It is leadership. Additional housecleaning is in order. Gary. Nixon. Jenkins unless he returns on a severely restructured deal at his guard position. McManus. Musgrave. Bring in Stefanski. He has worked with dysfunction at the highest levels for years.
Gunhold
January 11, 2026 at 09:04 am
As disasterous as that was it creates an opportunity for change and change is what the Packers need.
MLF era must end. There are currently 8 NFL teams looking for a Head Coach. Trade him to the highest bidder.
Love is not a $220M QB. He played well this game but panics under pressure. Trade him and get that contract off the books and use the savings to rebuild the OL for the next QB - Malik Willis.
Hire Hafley as HC.
For God’s sake fire Bisacia. STs have singlehandedly ruined what could have been a special season.
driftinreno
January 11, 2026 at 02:51 pm
hafley....oh hell no
SinceLombardi
January 11, 2026 at 09:06 am
I didn’t see the same game as Kalani Jones. I saw Watson and Reed make key second half drops. I saw Luke Musgrave be a second round non factor .. again.
What I didn’t see was Jordan Love play well under pressure. I didn’t see any of Gutekunst O or D line draft picks make a difference.
I did see Carrington Valentine finally make a pick, and it cost us 30 yards of field position.
I didn’t see 33,20 or 29 make any game changing take aways on defense. I didn’t see Rashan Gary make an impact on the game.
I did see Jordan Love earn a delay of game after a timeout.. and STILL be unable to explain it 40 minutes later at the podium.
I did see Panthers linebacker Isiah Simmons (who we cut)make two great special teams plays against the Rams. I didn’t see Hafley pet McDuffie make any positive impact.
I did see a first year head coach and a second year quarterback fight back from a near historic deficit and win.
I didn’t see a seventh year HC and a six year quarterback protect an 18 point halftime lead.
And as for making Romeo Doubs out to be some sort of Jerry Rice because he caught a few balls? Please.., he had a bad season, he walked on the team last year, and his special teams choke is the reason this was a road game.
jlc1
January 11, 2026 at 09:26 am
Hold on..... I saw a pass blocked! No, i really did. So much negativity......
coolhand
January 11, 2026 at 09:46 am
And it's interesting that the Panthers blocked a Rams punt but the Rams still won. They didn't fold like a cheap suit, or like the flower does and his team follows.
BRinMilwaukee
January 11, 2026 at 09:21 am
I go right to Game Balls/Lame Calls after every game. The opinions are great, it's well-written and often laugh-out-loud funny. Hope to see it next season with the same writer.
daveh
January 11, 2026 at 09:23 am
I pakersI hope the Packers keep Willis and trade Love
mrtundra
January 12, 2026 at 08:26 am
Love had 323 yards passing, 4 TDs and 0 INTs. Pretty solid stats any QB would love to have, for one game. Love's issues, in the Bears' game, came from a patchwork OL that was sieve-like, and could not block for the run game nor to protect Love. Look at Rasheed Walker and his stupid penalties. Look at Walker, allowing Booker to get to Love, without being touched, at the LOS. If we don't fix the OL, Love will get hammered, every game. Love is our QB and if you cannot see that, you don't know football. Sometimes, I wonder whether the naysayers here, are vikings/Bears trolls, because they certainly do not seem to be Packers fans.
BELIEVER
January 11, 2026 at 09:28 am
All season I asked myself why Bo Melton was forced fed the ball. He couldn’t make the team as a receiver so LaFluer kept him anyway. Now when he was hurt we see Golden make plays. He looked like the second best receiver out there, as good as any wide receiver the bears have. LaFluer is to loyal to people; players or coaches. Melton might be a good guy but tho where it ends. I have been a supporter for LaFluer but he brings this shit on himself. He needs to go.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 11:02 am
Bo Melton has been a key Special Teams player, and despite Packers management and coaches not giving a shit about ST's, yesterday's games prove their importance while proving the Packers brain trust wrong!
coolhand
January 11, 2026 at 09:43 am
So Flower takes a timeout to avoid a delay penalty and winds up getting a delay penalty anyway after the timeout.
A perfect example of why this team will never win a SB with him as the HC
BuckyBadger
January 11, 2026 at 09:57 am
If you fire MLF he will be the top candidate for everyone else and who will we get? Harbaugh? The guy who was just fired for not being able to get his team over the hump and just missed the playoffs with what many thought was the best roster in the NFL? I don't think firing the top candidate is a good idea. We will most likely have a downgrade. Every team is going to go after MLF hoping to get the kind of QB play he has consistently got out of our two QBs who are not the most talented. I also don't think Love plays this well for just any coach. You better have a great coach to replace MLF with because if he does what Vrabel just did we will look like the Titans and will have a revolving door at head coach.
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 10:09 am
and I think your wrong...some day you'll see..teams will want MLF...for an OC...as a head coach...they won't be falling over each other to give him a call...id take Vrabel in a min...
BuckyBadger
January 11, 2026 at 10:12 am
Teams will fire the current coach to get a QB guru like MLF. I have already seen several articles putting him as the top candidate for several jobs. He would be the most sought after coach out there.
Vrabel just a year ago was in the same place as MLF.
dobber
January 11, 2026 at 10:53 am
Unless the Packers let LaF go--and I think they will--I think the firing is done at this stage.
I agree: LaF will be right back in the coaching mix if he were let go, in part because the pool seems very weak but also because teams tend to covet offensive-minded coaches (as you point out). I think he'd probably be hired.
Strat
January 11, 2026 at 10:33 am
He's nobody's top candidate except maybe yours. I don't care if they went after Harbaugh or not, but he has a line of teams interested in him. McCarthy 13 years, this clown seven years, what revolving door? The biggest reason he would draw any interest at all is because there are so many openings available.
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 11:08 am
Sorry, Bucky, but now that the Bears have stepped up, the new battle cry is:
"LaFleur Still Sucks"!
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 10:07 am
I'm done investing time and money with this team until they prove to me that they are serious about going beyond mediocrity and seventh seed, one and outs...no more trips to Lambeau, pro shop shopping, etc...ill probably still watch most games but if it looks shaky it will be grass cutting time...too many MLF fan boys will prop him up and Policy will keep him around for more unbelievable second half failures and head scratching decisions...young genius he aint...
Strat
January 11, 2026 at 10:21 am
-Love still needs to know when to just take off and move the chains...he doesn't.
-The WR group is good, even without Doubs. Watson, Reed, Golden. They did well. Bigger picture, add Kraft and Jacobs/Wilson at RB and that's a pretty good O group...and no shit Golden should've been a bigger part of the offense all along.
-Special teams...why even bother bringing them up...for the one millionth time?
The biggest problem is what happened in yesterday's game has now become expected. Even with a 21-3 lead, I still expected what happened to happen, It wasn't a surprise at all. It's what this team has become and that is because of the regime that runs it. They can say "It's time to start winning championships" all they want. It's no different than Jerry Jones saying he wants to retire as the owner that won the most super bowls. It's all worthless, bullshit talk. Get rid of it, as well as the 1, 2, weak ass punch that is the HC and GM.
jclombardi
January 11, 2026 at 10:28 am
From a link article for critical analysis of the MLF coaching problems: https://www.golongtd.com/p/matt-lafleur-goes-for-the-kill.
Introduction: "...LaFleur...hesitates in critical situations, second guessing his play calls, and making perplexed bad decisions in counterproductive play calls especially too transparent calls with no gains. As Dunne points out in his article, "That play call often left many perplexed, too. On critical third downs in critical games, the player explains, LaFleur would 'freeze up.' Absolute bangers perfected during the week of practice never saw the light of day. Other times, LaFleur overanalyzed and overcomplicated things."
Every analyst is calling it one of the worst embarrassing coaching performances in the history of the NFL repeating other playoff disasters for MFL. As DB, enough is enough. It is time for changes As JJ said, this performance cannot stand without changes.
Meanwhile, the team has an offseason with three critical EDGE/CB/DL IMMEDIATE needs, beyond a predictable new kicker, although it is obvious to anybody that the clown was let go by other teams for a good reason. Typical Packers. Good luck!
CanPackFan
January 11, 2026 at 11:03 am
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. This team needs a SERIOUS culture change at the top. The real architect of where the Packers are headed is Mark Murphy. There is little or no accountability for HcCs or GMs. And that leads to just a bad football culture. Mr Policy, please make one or both of these men accountable!!
coolhand
January 11, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Policy could change all this by meeting with Gute and getting his evaluation. If Gute says let Flower go then do it and let Gute hire the next coach.
I don't know Policy's relationship with Gute or if he would even do it.
I do know that Gute should NOT hire his 1st or 3rd choice as coach. We all know how those choices have worked out. LOL
Houndog
January 11, 2026 at 11:17 am
Game Balls!
and
Lame Calls!
Mr. Policy, it's your turn, the ball's in your court, please don't fuck it up!
Gman1976
January 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Thanks Kalani for your weekly columns. I sure have enjoyed them even when I have not enjoyed the outcome of some of the games. Happy New Year Everyone! Remember football is just a game (I keep telling myself that because I want to win so bad!).
PyschoDad3
January 11, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Same old, Same old the past few years,,, only worse because you think by now something would change. Instead we get to watch reruns. Might I add that the Bears managed to remind us of the 2014 seachicken fiasco in our second meeting, and then body slammed the Packers in the 2nd half last night. If the Bears adjusted on defense in the second half, why weren't we adjusting on offense? No running game to speak of. Love may be our guy for now, but he is still looks more like a deer in the headlights under pressure than a QB that knows when to throw it away or use his legs. Wish we had rolled the dice with Willis last night.
Well we managed to mortgage the future with the Parsons deal, so not much to be expected from the draft or FA moves. Hopefully there is some untapped talent out there,,,
Mister Chievous
January 11, 2026 at 12:52 pm
complementary vs. complimentary. learn it.
why is no one talking about reed's drop of a long pass on the final drive that probably wins the game for us if he brings in that perfectly thrown ball? wish I could find a replay of it.
AntiGravity
January 11, 2026 at 01:31 pm
I said two years ago LaFluke Must Go! Welcome to the dark side!
Maybe, just maybe, he lasts three years -- without Aaron. I never liked his sideline demeanor, but his grooming is impeccable!
Overall, Love is weaker than Aaron in playoff games and gets fifty million dollars for his lackluster leadership. Could be he's micro-dosing quaaludes and can't get it up for sixty minutes of football. Contrast Caleb Williams on the sidelines during the first half, and Jordan Love anywhere ever.
THESZOTMAN1
January 11, 2026 at 03:12 pm
Hey, Kilani, i'll start by saying thanks for your "Calls." 1st thing I read after the game. Kudos.
Now on to the calls:
Game balls: Doubs, Love, and Golden in that order. Maybe an "E" for effort for Jacobs. Whelan was rock solid as always.
Lame calls: Too many to mention, but here's the lamest. Going into the 2nd half with an 18 point lead and the ball and going.....3 and out. Then 3 and out again. Then 3+ and out. Total momentum shift. Game wouldv'e been over if we had 1 or 2 time consuming drives ending in FG, or even just punting them deep.
We were skating on thin ice the whole 2nd half. And then.....well, you know.
Recriminations will dominate for a LONG time, I.e. which coaches gotta go. But let's the rest of the pre-pre-season trying to solve this dilemma: Are we a good bad team or a bad good team?
the Szotman