The Green Bay Packers
have hit a wall with Matt LaFleur as their head coach. After reaching the NFC Championship Game in back-to-back years, Green Bay lost in the divisional round in 2021 and 2023, missed the playoffs in 2022, and were knocked out in the wild-card round in 2024 and 2025. Their 18-point blown lead against their biggest rivals, the Chicago Bears, in 2025 was the largest playoff blown lead in franchise history.However, the Packers hit a new low in their Thursday loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta came into this game with a 0-2 record and no red zone trips. Green Bay was coming off an overtime win against the New York Jets, which was also a poor showing despite the victory. The Packers were trying to keep pace in the NFC North,
especially after blowing a lead against the Minnesota Vikings and losing by 17 points in the season opener.
History was on their side going into the game against Atlanta, as they hadn't lost a home opener since 2012 and hadn't lost to the Falcons in Lambeau since 2008. None of that mattered as Atlanta dominated the Packers 35-14 for their first win of the season and Green Bay’s second loss of the year. It is also their fifth straight loss to an NFC opponent and their second loss by at least three possessions this season, which is quite historic for the Packers.
The Packers have lost two of their first three games this season by 17+ points.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 25, 2026
They had not lost multiple games by 17+ points in an entire season since 2017. pic.twitter.com/hETKsMKG2C
This stat is particularly concerning for LaFleur. The last time Green Bay lost multiple games by 17 points was in 2017, which was also the last full season Packers head coach Mike McCarthy was with the team. The fact that LaFleur signed a multi-year contract extension this offseason does not mean much in the grand scheme of things. McCarthy signed a contract in January 2018 and was fired mid-season.
Realistically, LaFleur is not likely to be fired during this season. However, after the season ends, it could be a different story, especially if the offense does not turn this around, since he calls the plays for Green Bay’s offense. Not only was the 21-point loss embarrassing, but the stats were too.
The Packers only had 17 rushing yards on nine rushing attempts but allowed Atlanta to run all over them for 242 rushing yards on 41 attempts. Quarterback Jordan Love never looked in sync throughout the entire game and had a pathetic interception on Green Bay’s final drive.
There are certainly other coaches who are on the hot seat, especially among the 0-2 teams, but LaFleur may be in the most jeopardy of losing his job at the end of the season with how the Packers looked against the Falcons.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Could Packers HC Matt LaFleur be on the hot seat after Week 3 loss?
