By Tori Wittenbrock
Associate Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – Though the chemistry and performance of the Green Bay Packers seems to be on the upswing given their success on the field in their most recent three games — a 20-3 victory against the Los Angeles Rams, a close 23-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that came down to the final play and a 23-20 win against the Los Angeles Chargers — Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur said that the team needs to remain humble and hard-working as they prepare for the battles ahead.
“You get the ball, and you come out on the wrong side, and it’s all for nothing. This is a team game and we’ve got to do a better job. I thought that we left a few opportunities out there where we should be coming away with points, but I do think we can all see the improvement,” said LaFleur. “We have a great test in front of us with the defense we are about to play in Detroit, but I think that these guys have just got to continue to battle. Certainly it’s just going to be a tough battle ahead.”
After the defense and offense both coming out to put on a show at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Nov. 19, the Packers have an uphill battle ahead of them stemming from something that has been a recurring issue for them all season long — losing high-performing players to injury.
After battling a hamstring injury throughout the 2023 season, running back Aaron Jones was pulled from the Packers’ game against the Chargers after sustaining yet another injury that LaFleur believes will put him out for their next game against the Lions.
“When you don’t have a guy like Aaron Jones in the line up — I thought that Emmanuel Wilson did well, and I don’t think it looks good for him as well either — we are going to be a little short in the running back position, but that’s something we’ll figure out,” said LaFleur.
However, things are still looking up for Green Bay with their solid performance as the young roster continues to grow and develop experience within the league.
“I think (the difference is) just that guys made plays. I think that’s obvious in the last offensive series, and then we continued to hold them there on the fourth down,” said LaFleur. “I thought our guys challenged them.”
Despite the victory that brings the Packers up to a 4-6 record, LaFleur said that they must remain humble as they prepare for their next game against the Detroit Lions who beat them 34-20 at home in their last match-up.
“You can never say that in this league, because you are only as good as your last game. As soon as you start to feel good about yourself, you get knocked off. You’ve got to hit the reset button — win, lose or draw. You’ve got to get back to the drawing board and prepare the right way because this league has a way of humbling you and every week is — like I’ve said a million times — is a new challenge and a new opportunity,” said LaFleur.