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Matt LaFleur Says Saints 'Absolutely Embarrassed' Packers During Week 1 Blowout
September 13, 2021
The Green Bay Packers were completely dominated by the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in a season-opening 38-3 loss.
And head coach Matt LaFleur wasn't happy about it:
"I did a pretty bad job getting these guys ready to play," he told reporters after the blowout.
It was not the sort of game you would expect from the Packers—a team that has played in two consecutive NFC Championship Games—since the Saints were playing a "home game" in Jacksonville after Hurricane Ida forced them out of New Orleans.
The Packers managed just 229 yards of offense, had only 25 minutes and 24 seconds of possession, gave up five passing touchdowns to Jameis Winston, turned the ball over three times and failed to come away with any points in two red zone trips.
Defending MVP Aaron Rodgers finished 15-of-28 for 133 yards, throwing two picks. He was sacked once.
Here's the thing about the Packers starting the season with such a decisive loss—it won't quiet any of the noise that the offseason drama between the team and Rodgers has seeped into the regular season, nor will it contradict the idea that the showdown was a distraction for the team throughout the summer.
It's one thing to lose. The Saints are a very talented team. But to look so lifeless and to be utterly dominated is a bad look for a team that is supposed to be one of a handful of Super Bowl contenders.
The Packers have some work to do after a humbling Sunday. There were basically no positives for the team against the Saints.
Well, except for one.
"The positive is it's a long season," LaFleur told reporters.