2024 Weekly Report Card: Matt LaFleur

[OldSchool101]

I didn't give him an F, I gave him a D- because they won. If they would have lost, it would have been an F. Better play calling in goal to go situations they would have put a 30 burger up and this game would have been a 2 score victory.

Ok

I think a more reasonable number is you get that TD instead of an INT. 27 points would’ve been good against Chicago on the Road.

Defense should’ve allowed 15 points (FG instead of TD) or 12 something like that.

There’s your 2-score game

 

[DoURant]

Ok

I think a more reasonable number is you get that TD instead of an INT. 27 points would’ve been good against Chicago on the Road.

Defense should’ve allowed 15 or 12 something like that.

I get what you are saying, but they had 2 goal to go possessions that they can away with 0 points. That Interception gave the Bears some confidence, which they only had 3 points up until that point.

On a totally different game changing point, Jaire reaggravating that injury put the Packers in more zone coverage, vs man and I think that helped CW.

 

[BrokenArrow]

I understand him being aggressive and I’m not as tiffed about that. But yeah 4th and more than 3 and you take the points 17-19

Nah. MLF was playing chess. He knew the defense was struggling. If we had kicked the FG, then after our late TD the Bears would have been forced to go for a TD. Knowing Santos has a reputation as a low-trajectory kicker, he figured our chances of blocking a FG were better than keeping them out of the end zone after losing JA. And the Bears took the bait. See? He was playing chess.

 

[OldSchool101]

Nah. MLF was playing chess. He knew the defense was struggling. If we had kicked the FG, then after our late TD the Bears would have been forced to go for a TD. Knowing Santos has a reputation as a low-trajectory kicker, he figured our chances of blocking a FG were better than keeping them out of the end zone after losing JA. And the Bears took the bait. See? He was playing chess.

Oh I see. He must be really good at Geometric equations. I wonder if he has one of those old fashioned compass and protractor sets. Maybe some old fashioned chart paper to record his findings? Don’t mess with a man’s Protractor! Especially when he looks agitated like he did today!

 

[DoURant]

Oh I see. He must be really good at Geometric equations. I wonder if he has one of those old fashioned compass and protractor sets. Maybe some old fashioned chart paper to record his findings? Don’t mess with a man’s Protractor! Especially when he looks agitated like he did today!

I think he was using a sliderule

 

[OldSchool101]

Have you guys noticed MLF’s demeanor as of late has changed. It started around the time he took the Unsportsmanlike Penalty. He used to be generally calm. Now you see him running up and down screaming at Referees and such. I suppose he’s seeing what we see and it must be hard to watch. Idk. Something different like he’s more stressed out

 

[milani]

LaFleur's worst game of the year (or very close to worst). Hafley failed to keep Williams contained and 3rd down was a disaster most of the day it seemed. No better than D for this week.

Play calling in the Red zone was a big disaster.

 

[Zartan]

Play calling in the Red zone was a big disaster.

I dont understand why he wanted to go for it on 4th and Goal instead of taking the pts. In close game like that you gotta take the pts, had they taken the pts Bears would have needed a TD to win instead of a FG.

 

[milani]

I dont understand why he wanted to go for it on 4th and Goal instead of taking the pts. In close game like that you gotta take the pts, had they taken the pts Bears would have needed a TD to win instead of a FG.

Seeing it through his thoughts of which I disagree it may sound like this: McManus kicks a FG for 19-17 and the Bears get the kickoff at the 30. They have been moving up and down the field so likely they will be in FG range in no time. They either get a 3 or a 7. Being stopped at the 2 the Bears had a long way to go. And they did move the ball but had to punt because their drive stalled near midfield. MLF thinks he is Dan Campbell and can gamble anytime. He still remembers the Bucs playoff loss when he took the points. In the 2nd quarter we were up 7-3 and had a 2nd and 1 at the Bear 5. He goes with a pass and we get a penalty. Why not go with a line smash to get the first down? Jacobs just gashed them for 9. If it fails do it again. If it again fails you can try play action. If all fails you come away with 3 and the Bears do not have all the momentum.

 

[Magooch]

Pretty good showing yesterday, I would probably call it somewhere in the "B" range.

Kudos to Matt for sticking to the game plan and being patient. A lot of the time it seems like he gets a little squirrely and gets away from what would work if he just stuck to it. And glad to see that we really did not "let off" very much. I think in the past we've often had a tendency to fail to put opponents away and let them hang around and that's came back to bite us before. Not so yesterday.

On the flip side it's hard for me to go much higher than a "B" at the moment because to me it *still* feels like we have yet to put in a full complete game or to totally play up to our potential. Or maybe that IS our potential and we just have to accept that we are kind of an inconsistent team on the whole. We did okay with cleaning up penalties, but still some spots where we feel a little sloppy/undisciplined. And it's true that you can only play who's in front of you and they're all pros, but I think we also should be realistic and admit we saw probably the weakest possible version of the 49ers. So in some ways ironically I come away feeling almost a little frustrated. Blowout game, but still felt like we left a lot out there, if that makes sense.

 

[XPack]

Sorry, I've been traveling and unable to commit to this.

But again, MLF is struggling to strike a balance for Love. Won't let him throw due to INTs early season and we become a run team. Now against a top notch Run D, we make him throw too much too late in the game.

Please, I mean please find a middle ground. We'll never get far with one or other. We have seamlessly integrate the run and pass games. We have done it 2nd half last season and just need to replicate it now.

 

[gopkrs]

I guess they don't read that book that shows when to go for 2 and when to kick the extra point.

 

[milani]

Sorry, I've been traveling and unable to commit to this.

But again, MLF is struggling to strike a balance for Love. Won't let him throw due to INTs early season and we become a run team. Now against a top notch Run D, we make him throw too much too late in the game.

Please, I mean please find a middle ground. We'll never get far with one or other. We have seamlessly integrate the run and pass games. We have done it 2nd half last season and just need to replicate it now.

Love has to learn to become decisive against better teams and needs to work in practice with his young receivers as to changing routes when there is a blitz. I have pushed MLF for not using timeouts in certain situations. Before Love Rodgers called all the timeouts on offense. Love should do the same.

 

[gopkrs]

Brady said right before the play with a little over 2 minutes. "Now throw it 3 times." And we run and get stopped. Not a good sense of time though it turned out not to matter.

 

[gopkrs]

I'm certainly not sure but there is a chance LaFleur is not showing everything offensively. Our offensive game plans last year in the two playoff games looked better. At least there were some open receivers down the field.

 

[Magooch]

We really need to figure out some kind of way to trick LaFleur into believing he’s in the second half of the game every time he steps on the field.

 

[DoURant]

We really need to figure out some kind of way to trick LaFleur into believing he’s in the second half of the game every time he steps on the field.

First drive of the game, Jacobs fumbled in Minnesota territory, which probably cost pts on that drive. The big thing is, all the 1st half mistakes change the trajectory of the game for both teams. If we kick the FG on 4th down, we might have been doing it to go up 2 scores, vs just 6-0 without the fumble, which probably factored into going for it on 4th down. If Cooper doesn't line up offsides on the FG at the end of the half, Minnesota has 3 less points. Unfortunately, everything went Minnesota's way in the 1st half.

 

[milani]

I'm certainly not sure but there is a chance LaFleur is not showing everything offensively. Our offensive game plans last year in the two playoff games looked better. At least there were some open receivers down the field.

I do not think that is it. Different opponents.

 

[OOMPA Tailgate]

Sorry, I've been traveling and unable to commit to this.

But again, MLF is struggling to strike a balance for Love. Won't let him throw due to INTs early season and we become a run team. Now against a top notch Run D, we make him throw too much too late in the game.

Please, I mean please find a middle ground. We'll never get far with one or other. We have seamlessly integrate the run and pass games. We have done it 2nd half last season and just need to replicate it now.

it is always 3rd and 2 and the team tries to pass for 45 fewkin yards

been a surveyor - I think that's a lousy 6ft!

 

[OOMPA Tailgate]

I do not think that is it. Different opponents.

agreed for sure

 

[Heyjoe4]

First drive of the game, Jacobs fumbled in Minnesota territory, which probably cost pts on that drive. The big thing is, all the 1st half mistakes change the trajectory of the game for both teams. If we kick the FG on 4th down, we might have been doing it to go up 2 scores, vs just 6-0 without the fumble, which probably factored into going for it on 4th down. If Cooper doesn't line up offsides on the FG at the end of the half, Minnesota has 3 less points. Unfortunately, everything went Minnesota's way in the 1st half.

The MN kicker also missed two FGs. As I recall, one was from 57 yards and he was about a yard short. The other was from 40 something, I think, and he hit the left upright.

 

[milani]

The MN kicker also missed two FGs. As I recall, one was from 57 yards and he was about a yard short. The other was from 40 something, I think, and he hit the left upright.

That helped. It gave us a chance. We cannot count on that in the postseason unless the weather in Philly is extreme. And it could be.

 

[Heyjoe4]

That helped. It gave us a chance. We cannot count on that in the postseason unless the weather in Philly is extreme. And it could be.

That's why it's so much better to get 6 once the team is in the red zone. Philly can certainly have rough weather in January, and it seems almost certain that will be the first game. I'd rather not leave it up to McManus, although he has certainly been very good. If it does come down to him, I feel a helluva lot better than last year with Carlson.

I think I'd rather they started with Philly over the Rams anyway. The Rams are a very different team than the one GB beat. They are on a roll, and at home. Anyway, I like the Packers' chances against the Eagles. It's gonna be a long road to NOLA, but they've done it before.

 

[OldSchool101]

We were 1 maybe 2 tops incomplete passes on that last drive from a Win st Minnesota. Had that RB not secured that last catch (he nearly dropped it). That was 50% chance a Packer Win. MN would’ve punted with time left or
went for a 4th down try. If they missed we were already in FG range.

While we probably didn’t deserve to beat the Vikings. We proved that we can score at will when we press the ball downfield.

1, I really think Matt needs to take the kid gloves off Love. I understand why Matt protected him earlier season, but it’s obvious Matt wants to play conservative early. Conservative play calling earlier has been a problem.

2. Gotta get the RB’s involved in the Pass. I was shocked we did not use our RB for even 1 Pass. Both losses in Detroit and Minnesota and we had ZERO passes to RB’s. With this group?? We should have between 5
and 10 throws to the RBs. It’s been one of most promising areas in other games.

3. I think Love should use his legs some earlier in the game to pick up a quick 5 yards. He’s had several opportunities to Run but avoided it. Running just a few times warrants protection changes from the Defense. I’d like him to have freedom to run 3-4 times per game and slide or run out of bounds.

4. Retire the long 20+ throw in 3rd down and 4. There needs to be at minimum 2-3 options inside 5 yards. In many cases we are near midfield. If you get even 3 yards you can go for it on 4th. Instead we throw it 30 yards into double coverage. That’s scenario might have a 3-4 yard outlet or run it for 4-5 yards.

5. Quit running a 3 yard crosser on 3rd n medium. Just make the cut at minimum 5+ yards out so if caught it’s at the line to gain or 1 yard past it. Why would you run a 3 yard crossing pattern needing 5 yards??? That’s the dumbest play aside from a that double reverse at the edge of FG range.

 

[Heyjoe4]

We were 1 maybe 2 tops incomplete passes on that last drive from a Win st Minnesota. Had that RB not secured that last catch (he nearly dropped it). That was 50% chance a Packer Win. MN would’ve punted with time left or
went for a 4th down try. If they missed we were already in FG range.

While we probably didn’t deserve to beat the Vikings. We proved that we can score at will when we press the ball downfield.

1, I really think Matt needs to take the kid gloves off Love. I understand why Matt protected him earlier season, but it’s obvious Matt wants to play conservative early. Conservative play calling earlier has been a problem.

2. Gotta get the RB’s involved in the Pass. I was shocked we did not use our RB for even 1 Pass. Both losses in Detroit and Minnesota and we had ZERO passes to RB’s. With this group?? We should have between 5
and 10 throws to the RBs. It’s been one of most promising areas in other games.

3. I think Love should use his legs some earlier in the game to pick up a quick 5 yards. He’s had several opportunities to Run but avoided it. Running just a few times warrants protection changes from the Defense. I’d like him to have freedom to run 3-4 times per game and slide or run out of bounds.

4. Retire the long 20+ throw in 3rd down and 4. There needs to be at minimum 2-3 options inside 5 yards. In many cases we are near midfield. If you get even 3 yards you can go for it on 4th. Instead we throw it 30 yards into double coverage. That’s scenario might have a 3-4 yard outlet or run it for 4-5 yards.

5. Quit running a 3 yard crosser on 3rd and 5. Just make the cut at minimum 5 yards out so if caught it’s at the line to gain or 1 yard past it. Why would you run a 3 yard crossing pattern needing 5 yards??? That’s the dumbest play aside from a that double reverse at the edge of FG range.

All good points. The hardest one is MLF's early-game conservative play calling. That reminds me way too much of MM's "play not to lose" game plans, and those games were always losses.

Conversely or perversely, the long throw on 3rd and short drives me nuts. It has worked once or twice, but the odds are terrible. Jacobs is almost a lock to pick up 3 or 4 yards on one or two carries, even when the D knows it's coming. Use it.

The time to gamble on a long throw is a 2nd and 1 or 2 situation. Now the D can usually see that coming, but there is little at risk except an incompletion (and assuming Love doesn't throw into a double team.....).