Stock up, stock down for Packers after crushing Week 1 loss to Saints

Stock down: Matt LaFleur

From the first snap to the last, the Packers looked like a team still enjoying the summer and far from ready for a season opener against the defending NFC South champions. That falls on the head coach.

Since taking the job in 2019, Matt LaFleur has only lost seven times in the regular season. But when his Packers team lose, they often lose big. Only two of the seven defeats were by less than a touchdown. Those seven losses include deficits of 15, 28, 29, and 35 points. Sunday’s loss to New Orleans was his biggest defeat.

When the Packers start fast and get ahead of the game, they can be dominant. When they fall behind and face some adversity, they too often fall apart.

Stock down: Joe Barry

Joe Barry’s four seasons as defensive coordinator in the NFL didn’t go well. His Lions defense ranked bottom in the league both seasons, while his Washington defense was 28th twice. With more talent in Green Bay, the hope was that he’d turn things around.

It’s far too early to make a judgement. There were always going to be mistakes for a defense learning a new system.

But it was a disastrous start. New Orleans’ offensive line dominated, it ran the ball for fun, and Jameis Winston threw five touchdown passes. We all hoped Mike Pettine’s soft coverages were a thing of the past, but there was absolutely no sign on that on Sunday.

It’s the worst possible start for Barry in Green Bay.