The Green Bay Packers have a serious problem.
Micah Parsons' arrival may have turned the defense into a top-five unit, which was on full display for much of Monday Night Football, but the offensive woes have spiraled into a nightmare. Matt LaFleur's play-not-to-lose play-calling haunted them against the Carolina Panthers a week ago, and he clearly didn't learn a thing.
All the same problems we saw last week returned in the worst way: LaFleur playing for third down with conservative calls, committing to a rushing attack that lacks explosive plays or any kind of consistency, and leaving the training wheels on.
Packers prove they are nowhere near competing after ugly loss to Eagles
Opponents have found the blueprint for stopping the Packers, and LaFleur hasn't figured it out. They invite the run and try to take away the explosive passing plays. It forces Green Bay to play patiently, but LaFleur reverts to playing scared.
The Packers' offense has become painfully predictable — the Eagles even called out their final fourth-down run before the snap. The offense has hit rock bottom, and at 5-3-1 with a tough schedule incoming, LaFleur has to figure it out. Fast.
Only when he took off the training wheels, out of necessity, did the offense finally score. Jordan Love led an 11-play touchdown drive in the fourth quarter to give them a shot.
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But ultimately, this one falls heavily on LaFleur. Yes, he didn't have Tucker Kraft or Matthew Golden, and he then lost Elgton Jenkins and Romeo Doubs, but the great coaches adapt. Especially with a quarterback like Love under center. He failed to do so, and his predictable offense offered little to break through the Eagles' defense.
Green Bay ran 27 times, but the longest rush from a running back gained 11 yards. His refusal to hand Love the keys continues to haunt this team.
LaFleur's questionable in-game decisions also continued. He went for a 4th-and-9 at the Philadelphia 41-yard line late in the third quarter, down by three. Later, it all ended on a Brandon McManus miss from 64 yards while the Packers' record-holding kicker sat on the bench. A Hail Mary would've had more chance than a Lambeau record attempt with an injured kicker.
An ugly game all around, but the Packers don't look anywhere near competing for a Super Bowl. They are left with serious questions.