Packers coach Matt LaFleur addresses Bears decision to send video of blocked field goal to NFL office

Posted by Admin November 18, 2024 NFL

GREEN BAY − In the aftermath of the Green Bay Packers blocking a potential game-winning field goal in their 20-19 win Sunday, Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus said he’s turning video over to the league office to argue the officials missed a penalty on the last play. Eberflus said the Packers made illegal contact with the long snapper.

“I’ve seen a lot of plays where I thought a penalty should’ve been called, and it doesn’t happen, so I’ll leave it at that,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Monday. “I thought there were multiple plays in that game, it happens. That’s why I never want to leave it in the hands of the officials. You’ve got to stay out of those situations as best you can.”

Here are other takeaways from LaFleur’s Monday news conference:

Matt LaFleur said Packers defense needs to be better

While the Packers have had bright spots on defense throughout the season, Sunday was not one of their better performances.

Before Sunday’s game, the Bears hadn’t scored a touchdown in their past two games. They had last scored in Week 8’s 18-15 loss to the Washington Commanders. Against the Packers, the Bears offense scored two touchdowns, piled up 391 yards, went 9-for-16 (56%) on third down and 3-for-3 on fourth down.

“After watching the tape with the guys, I think we’re all in agreement with that,” LaFleur said, referring to the defense playing better. “There were opportunities to get off the grass and we didn’t for one reason or another, we didn’t make the plays. It’s a credit to them. Thought they had a good plan. I thought Caleb (Williams) played as well as he’s had.”

Christian Watson is a big key to the offense

Packers wide receiver Christian Watson was looking for a breakout performance this season. He had his moment Sunday. He caught all four of his targets, including two contested catches, and produced a career-high 150 receiving yards, averaging 37.5 yards per catch. Before Sunday’s game, his receiving yards high this season was a 68-yard performance in Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

LaFleur says Watson’s success is a big ingredient to the offense.

“He’s a guy who’s got every measurable known to man in terms of the size, the speed, and it’s not like those were easy plays he was making,” LaFleur said. “He was making tough, contested catches.

“Most importantly, it gives him the confidence we’ve all had in him and to see him go out and do that, I was really happy for him.”