HC Matt LaFleur’s first real test begins against Chicago in primetime
When the Packers fired former head coach Mike McCarthy back in mid-December, that raised plenty of questions regarding who his successor would end up being. His eventual successor was former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur. At first glance, it looked to be a promising hire for both sides; now, nine months later, LaFleur will coach in his first regular-season game. Now is when the real test begins for him and his staff.
Having to face the NFC North division winning — and bitter rival Chicago Bears in Chicago in primetime would be a tough task for any rookie coach to do, let alone LaFleur. If anyone can though, it’s him. He has run this team to near perfection up to this point. The monkey on his back I’m speaking of is the fact that no rookie head coach in the entire 100-year history of the Packers has guided his team to the playoffs or super bowl. They are 0-16 all-time. LaFleur; who’s the youngest Packer head coach to be roaming the sidelines since Curly Lambeau back in 1921; hopes to change that in 2019.
LaFleur; who is a great, young, innovative offensive mind; is exactly what I believe QB Aaron Rodgers needs in order to make Green Bay successful as a team. From 2009-’16, Green Bay posted an 87-40-1 overall record, made the playoffs 8 straight years, won five division titles (four straight from 2011-’14), and one super bowl. From 2017-’18, Green Bay was an abysmal 13-18-1. Having come from the Mike Shanahan coaching tree (QB coach w/ ATL in 2016 & OC w/ Los Angeles in 2017), Matt LaFleur is more than capable of getting Aaron Rodgers back to MVP form; and I believe he will.
All in all, with the additions made on defense (Adrian Amos, Za’Darius and Preston Smith, B.J. Goodson), and the balance on offense with a healthy Aaron Rodgers and Jones, alongside a plethora of talent at WR too with Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jake Kumerow Green Bay is looking more balanced than ever heading into their showdown with the Bears. They are also very healthy heading into it too; only two players, LB Oren Burks (pectoral), and WR Darrius Shepherd (hamstring), are out for week one. Thursday night in Chicago will indeed be a tall task for LaFleur & co. to overcome but as I’ve always said, you’re never completely out of a game with Aaron Rodgers as your quarterback. He’ll have his head coach’s back tonight — and I believe he’ll also pull out a victory in the end for Green Bay, 31-17. The key will be the usage of the no-huddle offense; which Aaron Rodgers excels in: (558/844, 66.1% CMP %, 6,701 YDs, 53 TDs, 6 INTs, 108.6 passer rating). That combined with quick-release passes & occasional runs from Aaron Jones should keep the Bears’ defense on its toes enough to take advantage and get the win.
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