Matt LaFleur Gets 100% Real On Why Green Bay Packers’ Loss To San Francisco 49ers Really Hurts
Green Bay Packers heads coach Matt LaFleur didn’t hide his pain after their heartbreaking loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs.
The Packers were so close to pulling off another upset, leading 21-14 entering the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, the team collapsed in the end, with the 49ers scoring 10 unanswered points–highlighted by a Christian McCaffrey rushing touchdown with over a minute to go in the final period–to end Green Bay’s magical playoff run.
Speaking to reporters postgame following their 24-21 loss, LaFleur admitted that the loss really stings because they had high hopes that they would win. While the odds were stacked against them, the Packers were not lacking confidence after they beat the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card.
Winners of four straight as well, including three in a row to end the regular season, the Packers knew they had a shot. And they certainly played like it, controlling the game for the most part through the first three quarters.
Nonetheless, the Packers’ inexperience really showed in the end, while the 49ers proved why they were the favorites to win the match.
“Part of the reason it stings so bad is we fully believed and fully expected to win. … Felt like we had plenty of opportunities to put the game out of reach and unfortunately didn’t do enough,” LaFleur said of the loss, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.
Matt LaFleur Staying Optimistic on Green Bay Packers’ Future
Despite the painful defeat, Matt LaFleur shared his optimism that the Green Bay Packers are just getting started and there’s more positive things to come in the future.
Nonetheless, he did admit that “nothing is guaranteed” in the NFL, so they need to put in the work and keep improving regardless of the status of the team or the changes that they might encounter along the way.
