Matt LaFleur's teams often play their best football when their backs are against the wall. When everyone writes them off.
This, though, might be his greatest challenge yet. Empower Field claimed several Green Bay Packers victims on Sunday, none bigger than Micah Parsons, whose season is over after suffering what's believed to be a torn ACL.
The Packers never quit, and that's the hallmark of LaFleur's teams. He expects that same fight in the weeks ahead, delivering a message every player needs to hear.
"I told the guys: Nobody's going to feel sorry for us. We've got to rally around one another, and everybody is going to have to elevate their play," LaFleur said.
Matt LaFleur delivers the message the Packers need to hear after a heartbreaking defeat
Parsons. Christian Watson. Zach Tom. Evan Williams. Quay Walker. They all suffered injuries in the Packers' season-altering loss to the Denver Broncos. Having already lost Tucker Kraft, Elgton Jenkins, and Devonte Wyatt for the season, this may prove one step too far for a team with Super Bowl ambitions.
But LaFleur won't hear it. And nor should he. Perhaps the most underrated factor in his coaching success is the resilience of his teams.
READ MORE: Rashan Gary's heartbreaking reaction to Micah Parsons injury says it all
In 2022, Aaron Rodgers' final year, they lost five in a row to fall to 3-6. All hope was seemingly lost. But LaFleur's team never quit, rallying to a 5-3 stretch, falling just one game short of a playoff berth.
A year later, Jordan Love's first as QB1, they made a similarly slow 3-6 start. But again, despite lacking experience as the youngest team in the league, they rallied to finish 6-2, made the playoffs and then eliminated the Dallas Cowboys.
LaFleur's Packers always respond to adversity. They didn't lose back-to-back games until his fourth season.
This, though, is a monumental task.
The Packers' defense has recorded 33 sacks this season, of which 16.5 belong to Parsons and Wyatt. Rashan Gary has 7.5 sacks, but crucially, he has zero in his past seven games.
If the defense can't maintain the standard it set earlier in the year, it'll be over to LaFleur's offense. It's Jordan Love time. On defense, it's up to Jeff Hafley to get creative. Whatever it takes.
LaFleur's right. Nobody will feel sorry for them, not least the Chicago Bears, who await next. Green Bay has won 12 of its past 13 games against Chicago, including last week. The Bears will look to take full advantage of a beat-up and reeling Packers team.
It will take everyone, like LaFleur says. They must rally together and find a way to fight back.