Matt LaFleur takes blame for fourth quarter decision making

Matt LaFleur took the blame for some questionable fourth quarter decision making in the Packers‘ victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Speaking with the media after the thrilling win, LaFleur stated his unhappiness with the way things transpired, but his appreciation that the team bailed him out.

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“Wasn’t real happy with the way the fourth quarter, the two-minute situation ended, but our guys bailed me out,” stated LaFleur. “I appreciate that from them.”

Alas, LaFleur was seen having a heated exchange with quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines following Green Bay’s final drive of regulation, which ended with an incomplete pass forcing a punt.

“I would say that indecision came into my mind probably way too much,” responded LaFleur, pressed about the play-calling in the situation. “They had three timeouts, and I knew we didn’t need, we needed like 30 something yards to potentially get into field goal range. So we were calling these run-pass cans, and if we got the look for the pass we were going to call the pass. We ran it on first down, ran it on second down and on third down they played it well. Tried to take a shot play, another run-pass can. It didn’t work out. At least in that moment. But it did work out for us obviously, to come out on top.

“It’s just, a lot of times when we get in those situations, we give Aaron a ton of freedom to run the show, and I’d say typically he does such a great job with it. Hindsight is 20/20, but that was on me, totally.”

Continuing, Rodgers told reporters that he “wanted a chance to go win the game” and disagreed with LaFleur’s decision to run the ball on second down. It appears he thought he could get the team within field goal range on the drive and avoid going to overtime.

“I feel like we were like 30 yards from ending the game in regulation,” Rodgers said. “Also felt like it was two minutes so I was gonna be calling those (plays). I was in a pretty good rhythm. Obviously didn’t have a ton of attempts tonight, but I felt like I was in a pretty good rhythm. Felt like I threw the ball just about exactly where I wanted to tonight. So I wanted a chance to go win the game.”

As frustrated as Aaron Rodgers was, though, it all worked out in the end for Matt LaFleur, as Green Bay snapped a five game losing streak with the win. The Packers will hope to keep that positive momentum rolling with a quick turnaround next week against Tennessee at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday.