Packers News: Carrington Valentine, Jaire Alexander, injury updates, Matt LaFleur
It's Victory Monday for the Green Bay Packers, and it has been a long time coming. The Packers got back to winning ways in Week 9, defeating the Los Angeles Rams to improve to 3-5 on the season.
Green Bay caught a break by not having to face quarterback Matthew Stafford, and that proved to be significant. Rams backup QB Brett Rypien struggled, throwing for only 130 yards with no touchdowns and one interception, earning a poor passer rating of 45.2. But to Green Bay's credit, the defense made life challenging for Rypien.
There's plenty of fallout from the game. Matt LaFleur made history, Jaire Alexander spoke highly of Carrington Valentine after the rookie's tremendous performance, and LaFleur provided some injury updates.
Matt LaFleur makes history in Packers win over Rams
According to Aaron Nagler of Cheesehead TV, Matt LaFleur earned his 50th victory in the second-fastest time for the Packers, behind only the legendary Vince Lombardi. That's good company to be in.
With today’s win over the Rams, Matt LaFleur became the second fastest Packers head coach to 50 wins in team history behind only Vince Lombardi.
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) November 6, 2023
LaFleur's critics will say that he benefitted from having Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. But LaFleur isn't the first coach in Green Bay to have a Hall-of-Fame quarterback leading the offense. He is, however, the only NFL coach in history to post three straight 13-win seasons.
There are undoubtedly reasons to be critical of LaFleur's scheme and decision-making at times this season. Still, he hasn't been helped by the countless mistakes made by the offense, from penalties to dropped passes to poor execution.
LaFleur needs to get this young team back on track, but a win in Week 9 helps. And achieving his 50th victory in such quick time is worth celebrating.