Cory's Corner: Matt LaFleur Teaches Master Class

The Packers planned on running the football and all they did was ram it down Indy's throat. 

Everyone in Lambeau Field knew what the Packers were going to do. 

Yet, that didn’t stop the Little Engine That Could as the Packers beat the Colts 16-10 in the first game without Jordan Love this season. 

“I don’t think you guys can appreciate or even comprehend the task that Malik Willis (faced),” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur. “This guy got here three weeks ago.”

Willis was 12-for-14 with 122 yards with a quarterback rating of 126.8. He also tallied the first passing touchdown in his third season as a pro. 

This was a master class by LaFleur helping Willis cram for the final exam in the second game of the season but also by doing whatever it took to get a win. Whether that was running motion, running counters, little flare passes, etc. He knew that the Packers could not be 0-2 and have a legitimate shot at winning the NFC North. 

The Packers rolled up 261 yards on the ground. They absolutely steamrolled the Colts. And to be fair, what were the Colts thinking? Put eight guys close to the line of scrimmage and force Willis to beat you with his arm. I didn’t understand that at all. 

But in the NFL, a win is a win. It doesn’t matter how, just keep racking up the W’s. 

I really wanted to see if this team could grind out a win on the ground. And they just proved it. They can give it to their lead back 32 times and dominate time of possession by over 20 minutes. 

This win is going to come in handy when the weather gets nasty in December and January. When the ball turns into a rock, this team just proved that they can run the ball with ease. 

And they also infused a ton of confidence into a quarterback who was thrust into duty. The Packers traded for Willis on Aug. 27 and there were plenty of people that questioned that move — even though the Packers only gave up a seventh round pick for the former third rounder. 

Willis was in control of the offense and looked like he had been in Green Bay since minicamp. But it wasn’t just that he only had two incompletions, he gained the trust of his teammates. 

Now, moving forward, Willis should now have the confidence to operate in a play-action and deliver the ball. He knows what he’s working with on offense and he can approach the line of scrimmage with a devilish grin, knowing that he can deliver the ball to so many people and all of them have the capability to make explosive plays. 

But this game was about old fashioned football. This game was turned back about 60 years and the Packers just had their way with the Colts. This is a passing game now, but for one sunny afternoon, the Packers made everyone think that leather helmets were still en vogue. 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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Comments (38)

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Cheezehead72's picture

September 17, 2024 at 07:12 am

Oops I got my prediction wrong. The Packers did win. Well good thing I did not put money on the game. I hope I did not sway anyone else to take the Colts.

It was a good game from what I saw. I missed some of the game because my wife and I went to an open house for a house that we ended up buying.

My boss told me that you can stream all NFL games on UZZU. It is a sport internet site and reasonably priced. Very clear picture.

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LambeauPlain's picture

September 17, 2024 at 08:26 am

2X Congratulations! Not only did you not waste money on the Colts, you put it on a new home!

The Packers dominated the Colts on both sides of the ball...left 10 easy points on the field. As expected, I was not impressed with Richardson. Another college star QB thrown into the fire too soon and it shows.

You missed a good one...worth watching on replay:

*The first quarter was some of the best football I have seen the Pack play (except for the early penalties, again!)
* Jacobs showed his power and quickness early and often. I did not realize Josh was that doggone quick!
*Willis handled the pressure of the moment like a pro. He was in a confidence zone.
*The D corralled Richardson with the cost of giving up some runs to Taylor but kept him out of the end zone.
*More Pack Attack turnovers! Two games in, and have almost equalled all INTs for the entire 2023 season.
*We also have a punter. Whelan is a field flipper.
*Kraft is the blocking, receiving TE stud the Packers have been searching for.
*The longest home opening win streak in the NFL continues!

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HawkPacker's picture

September 17, 2024 at 10:04 am

Not sure why you did not tape the game. You can then zip through all the commercials and enjoy 100% packer time!

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Cheezehead72's picture

September 17, 2024 at 10:25 am

First I do not record regular season games. Plus I was watching it on UZZU because I am out of the viewing area. Cannot record on UZZU.

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rstain99's picture

September 18, 2024 at 09:11 am

Thought called a great game kept it simple young and new QB to the system it could have been ugly. Oline played pretty well few penalties. My only complaint with MLF is his timeouts he wastes them stuck here near Boston had to witness all those NE wins one thing Belicheck was master at time management. MLF by now should have learned, not feeling he has, hopefully defense starts to play to the game plan turnovers are nice but run defense needs to pick it up.

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 17, 2024 at 07:56 am

I just know that LaFleur deserves a lot more credit than he gets.

When LaFleur first came in as the HC in 2019, the Packers were coming off of back to back losing years. They finished 3rd in the division both years. When he signed to be the HC the narrative was that no coaches wanted to work with Rodgers. That Rodgers was the coach and no HC was going to want to work with him.
All the Packers did was win 13 games 3 seasons in a row. Rodgers had only won 13 or more games 1 time in his career prior to this. Rodgers then turned in back to back MVP seasons. So naturally Rodgers got all the credit.
And then last year after they moved on from Rodgers and Love was in his first year, they finished the season with a 9-8 record. Everyone wanted to give all the credit to Love.

So to summarize LaFleur helped Rodgers have some of the best years of his career. He developed Love into a really good QB. And then you look at what happened on Sunday. He went into a game with his backup QB who just arrived 3 weeks earlier. It wasn't what they did that was the most impressive, it was how they did it. They didn't just hand the ball off and the RB's tore it up. They had so much eye candy going on it made it very tough for the defense.

LaFleur is a great coach and definitely deserves a ton more credit then what he gets!

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murf7777's picture

September 17, 2024 at 08:30 am

Right on RC…..I’ve noticed over time that with fandom and mostly life in general, it’s much easier and or desirable to criticize or find fault in someone or thing than to be complimentary about them. We are lucky to have Mlf and Murphy/Gutey did a great job hiring him.

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 17, 2024 at 08:39 am

100%

Just take this website as an example. When the Packers win, there are 20-40 comments per article we will say. When they lose there are 100+.

One thing that did stick in my mind while watching the game was the benefits of having an offensive minded HC. They typically are ones that can get by with a back up QB.
While I agree with that, its just different with LaFleur. I feel like he is always trying to put his players in the best position to succeed. All the motion and all the misdirection types of things really helped the run game. I really like what they did from game planning/play calling.

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dobber's picture

September 17, 2024 at 01:45 pm

There's a whole population that doesn't post unless something's going wrong.

The "only happy when it rains" group.

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Cheezehead72's picture

September 17, 2024 at 09:20 am

I never thought MLF was not a very good OC. I believe he is a good HC. I do not like the HC calling plays and being the coordinator. I just think it is too much for most coaches. I hope he proves me wrong as time goes on.

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murf7777's picture

September 17, 2024 at 09:49 am

I think he already proved you wrong as being one of the winningest coaches in the NFL over his time.

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Cheezehead72's picture

September 17, 2024 at 10:53 am

I am waiting for three years with Love as the QB. But yes he has a good start. I want him to continue to prove me wrong.

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Coldworld's picture

September 17, 2024 at 11:09 am

This old canard? What’s his record since 2022? How did we fall in the playoffs before that? It’s striking how uncritical some people want to be, even if that means being selectively blind.

LaFleur is an excellent white board mind. His personnel choices and management and in game tactics and adjustments are less clearly strengths and may be significant weaknesses, yet one victory and cue the unadulterated swooning from some.

This game we saw what LaFleur is definitely good at and also what he is not. We win thanks to a great scripted play set. Definitely something worthy of praise. However, there were other factors I loved in why we won. That starts with Jacobs’ performance being at the upper end of hopes coming into the season. It’s also partially because the back up QB played a mental game far beyond what most expected while Richardson proved to be exactly as the stats suggested when contained.

Also, the Colts run D is a mess, as LaFleur anticipated, but then gave them every chance to swing for a victory by gambling that what no longer worked would eat enough clock. It actually didn’t, but Richardson is a low odds champion and that clinched it even after we gave him a tilt to do so.

I’m not interested in idolizing LaFleur or pretending he’s the greatest. I’m interested in whether he can lift a good roster over the finish line. Until then, and I’d say thus far he’s 0 for 3, some might add 2019 too I suppose. Until then, I will respect him for what he does well, like that game plan going in and accept there are other things he hasn’t. Hopefully less than there were, because that’s the key to being what we hoped he would be.

Hopefully Hafley is a step in that improvement. I remain optimistic, but eager to see us face a non dual threat type to see more of how we rush and cover a typical O. Levis is not quite that, but they do run him by plan and he is big and runs a 4.6 despite being a more pocket first guy. On his performance thus far I’m curious to see if Hafley stays primarily in the contain mode of the last 2 games.

Hopefully (if needed) this week’s game plan for Willis shows other facets of equally effective scheming and a continuing decline in penalties and errors. We will have a lot tougher challenges than Richardson and this Colts team. It was a fortunate match up if we has to start Willis, as I said last week.

A shout out to the pro scouting team for identifying that Willis had made mental strides (as Gute referenced after we traded). He has, at least based upon his decision making in the last game, considerable ones. In that respect alone, he seems an upgrade in Clifford.

That mental improvement might just unlock Willis’ undoubted physical potential as a QB. I’m not so sure Gute and Co. hit the same home run at kicker, which I thought would be the more important initially, but fate proved otherwise at this point.

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TKWorldWide's picture

September 17, 2024 at 08:42 am

Jever notice LaFleur’s grooming habits are not a topic of discussion after a nice dub?

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Coldworld's picture

September 17, 2024 at 08:46 am

The scripted plays were great. After that it was ride Jacobs primarily. We kept doing so long after that had been stopped. In fact we had negative net rushing yards in the third quarter. That might have been fine had we converted the Jacobs fumble TD, but we continued as if we had. In the end that gave the Colts a sniff (missed field goals cancelling out) when there shouldn’t have been one.

A+ for the first quarter script. Really impressive. A for the first half. After that D for the inability or unwillingness to adjust even slightly. Overall B- because it worked overall and suited that opponent.

LaFleur is a great play designer, the questions with him are in game adjustments and calling. Both showed up in this game. Let’s see how he approaches the next game, facing a D with strengths that counter what worked against the Colts very well, at least on paper.

Willis handled everything and well. True Doubs’ catch required a great adjustment, but one throw away (the right choice) and one to Wicks that was probably 50:50 and the rest were completed. None were turnover worthy.

LaFleur should have enough evidence that he can trust Willis to do more through the air. Now he has to identify the right parts of that playbook if Love doesn’t go and be willing to take more risks. If Willis plays, there isn’t much risk anyway. Not that I wouldn’t, and we won’t, try to run on them, but it would be foolish to expect that to work well enough to rely on it against the Titans.

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crayzpackfan's picture

September 17, 2024 at 08:53 am

Cold- Very well summarized.

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stockholder's picture

September 17, 2024 at 09:20 am

I don't agree with he has enough evidence
to trust Willis through the air.
I saw guys make some great catches.
Balls that could have been picked.

My hope is he keeps passing short,
and running the ball.
It's not out dated.
You always take what the defense gives you.

It's also funny that your giving MLF credit.
Their still hope for you yet.

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Coldworld's picture

September 17, 2024 at 10:47 am

One throwaway on 14 pass attempts. One uncaught ball right in the boundary, not placed where the DB had a chance. So which of the other 12 are you referring to? Doubs catch? Maybe that’s incomplete but the DB had no shot at it, so now it’s 11. Which plays were remotely turnover worthy?

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stockholder's picture

September 17, 2024 at 02:51 pm

wicks, Dobbs and Musgrave.

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LambeauPlain's picture

September 17, 2024 at 10:23 am

The first qtr was one of the best I have watched in Lambeau for a while (except, again, the penalties!).

However, Matt has a tendency to let up on the gas and play not to lose once he has a lead. That was the 2nd half.

Very uncomfortable feeling in the 4th...lots of groans in the stands during the Pack's last series with Matt calling 3 predictable runs over LG and C to just run clock/burn Colts TO's... no attempt to get the first down for a kneel down. Willis was outstanding on third down too. Thank goodness Whelan did his job!

Don't like having a cannon armed QB opponent in a one score game taking the last snaps.

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barutanseijin's picture

September 17, 2024 at 06:27 pm

You will die on that hill even if the guy wins a championship. Never change, never acknowledge your mistakes!

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mjbrogno's picture

September 17, 2024 at 09:15 am

LaFleur has definitely earned his stripes as a head coach. To get Willis ready to play and execute his game plan on short notice was quite impressive to watch. Go Pack Go!!!!!

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Major Snafu's picture

September 17, 2024 at 10:03 am

I think LeFLeur has a much bigger problem then Willis and the run game. How the hell did the Eagles put up 34 points on them. I've heard and maybe wrongly that the phil of the pack org is defense is to slow teams from scoring as the offense puts more points on the board. I dont agree with that theory but yes if you score more then your opponent you do win. Until the opponent exploits your defense and puts up quick easy points and you dont.

IMO from the one game I saw, the defensive backs looked lost at sea most times and if it wasnt for errant throws leading to interceptions and the indy receivers who were wide open dropping sure first down passes, the outcome of this game would have been different.

No LeFluer better get the defense in order and fast. Me thinks the run game will be weaker against a Titans team that is prepared for it. Just sayin. There's no balance right now between the two.

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Bitternotsour's picture

September 17, 2024 at 10:16 am

How did that Indy offense look in week 1? They put up 27 on the Texans. How did the Bears do against the Texans. Oh right, 13 points.

The Packers defense allowed 10 points. What was your point?

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barutanseijin's picture

September 17, 2024 at 06:16 pm

No point debating that guy. He’ll be back with the same sort of comment about something else tomorrow.

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GregC's picture

September 17, 2024 at 11:37 am

The Colts gifted our defense with a couple of drops and a couple of bad throws, but I still thought it was a very good defensive performance overall. I did not notice the defensive backs being "lost at sea most times." I thought they did an excellent job covering the Colts' talented receivers, even when asked to hold their coverage longer than usual due to the pass rushers having to focus on containment rather than attacking the QB. We heard a lot about the long completions Anthony Richardson had in week one. There were none of those on Sunday.

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HawkPacker's picture

September 17, 2024 at 10:10 am

This was my first packer game at Lambeau and enjoyed what I saw.

In looking down the road, based on Willis' game on Sunday and his type of talent, I can see GB, hopefully, run some Wildcat with Willis after Love returns. Give other teams something else to prepare for.

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LambeauPlain's picture

September 17, 2024 at 10:31 am

Where did you sit, Hawk? I am on the south west side of the bowl (halfway up between the 10-15) with the sun to my back...I was still roasting! But it was a dry roast. It must have been a sauna on the east side.

Nonetheless, Lambeau Field on a sunny September noon day is always a good day! Hope you get back soon.

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HawkPacker's picture

September 18, 2024 at 01:30 pm

Hey LP. I was in section 113, 53 rows up. I believe it was the Northwest side at about the 15-20 yard line. Great seats but boy was it hot. Great game.

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Starrbrite's picture

September 17, 2024 at 04:09 pm

Yes—I like the wildcat idea.

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NFLfan's picture

September 17, 2024 at 10:31 am

La Fleur definitely knows how to relate to quarterbacks, he seems to intuitively understand what each quarterback needs. He was artful with Rodgers, giving him time, attention and respect while at the same time, quietly managing Love's emergence.
Now he brings out the best in Willis. I give him credit. He's a natural psychologist or as another person stated- a 'QB Whisperer'

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LeotisHarris's picture

September 17, 2024 at 10:48 am

'NFLfan

September 11, 2024 at 12:33 pm

Matt La Fleur strikes me as an incurious fellow. He lacks the consistency, drive, intellect and curiosity one needs to match wits with he likes of a Reid or Shanahan. I get the sense he rarely ventures out of Green Bay and doesn't keep pace with the 'outside world."

It's interesting how a "natural psychologist" can lack consistency, drive, intellect and curiosity.

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NFLfan's picture

September 17, 2024 at 08:33 pm

The two aren't mutually exclusive

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Leatherhead's picture

September 17, 2024 at 11:00 am

Of course, I'm laughing my ass off. It was only a year ago that LaFleur was part of the problem....the 1265 clown show, in over his head, riding Aaron Rodgers coattails, etc. And even this season, people feel the need to tell me how timid, and slow to react, and stubborn, LaFleur is, and how it's been 5 years without a Super Bowl and he should be replaced. And he picks bad staff, like Butkus and Barry, who need to be fired.

Sheeeeesh.

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dobber's picture

September 17, 2024 at 12:48 pm

I felt better about this game at home against a weak opponent--even with Willis--than I did about the Philly game.

I've always thought favorably of LaF, but the only thing he did right on Sunday in terms of play calling was sticking with the run. LaF didn't do what most play-callers do now, which is give in to the desire to call fancy-schmancy stuff when the run is getting it done. Pretty much every part of that game plan could've been scripted by just about every person at the bar--and most of us did all week. The second thing he did right was get the OL to execute. The blocking was very good....but let's not lose sight of the fact that the Packers were playing an uncategorically bad Colts run defense.

Glad for the win, but Tennessee's defense is playing really well in the early going (admittedly, against a rusty Aaron Rodgers and the crappy Bears), and they know Willis. They'll be prepared for him. They have a mistake-prone offense, so I don't expect a lot of points this week.

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Coldworld's picture

September 17, 2024 at 02:13 pm

The biggest difference on the OL this year has been Jenkins. He is playing like the Jenkins prior to his big injury. Much more like his old self even than last year. Tom has maintained, Walker was better last week, but hasn’t quite recovered the level of last year. RG is still a work in progress one hopes, and Myers has been Myers. Unfortunately no sign of improvement thus far.

It’s interesting. You would think the run blocking has been better from the numbers. Actually though, Tom had a down run blocking day. Only Jenkins stood out. Then you look at the advanced stats. Packers runners are at the top of yards after contact and missed tackles. Taken together, that signals that it’s not primarily the blocking but the backs breaking tackles and making players miss. I didn’t see that coming post Jones.

I am not sure how sustainable that is though, or how much the Colts distorted it. They were awful until they just sold out completely to stop it. Running on the two mountains in the middle of the Titans DL is going to be tough sledding either way. Our interior IOL is in for a very tough time. Their rush isn’t great and their one good rusher blows hot and cold and typically comes from the left, so will face Tom. Could be the day for designed roll outs and play action, if we can set up the run.

If Lloyd can’t go, then Willis might be schemed a few runs outside the tackles. He was timed as the 19th fastest ball carrier during his 12 yard run this week. Reed was faster, but I’d rather not risk him running the ball on a regular basis. Melton remains an option too and Watson as well potentially.

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dobber's picture

September 17, 2024 at 02:46 pm

"Tom had a down run blocking day."

Tom had that torn pec, and I wonder how much strength he lost as a result. His game isn't power, but he's still gotta punch and grapple.

"If Lloyd can’t go, then Willis might be schemed a few runs outside the tackles."

They've got to make sure they don't burn out Jacobs, so Lloyd and Wilson need to get more run this week. Getting to the perimeter and challenging the edges against TN will be a priority, and while Jacobs can do it, I think that favors Lloyd and Wilson (and Reed/Melton as you state).

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porupack's picture

September 17, 2024 at 05:11 pm

Lafleur gets just the right amount of praise. If the team is prepared and executes, he gets praise. If they aren't then he gets criticized. Sometimes you win despite playing bad...and he should be criticized. Sometimes you lose despite playing very good football....and he should still deserve some credit. No over praise, but appreciate his body of work. Criticize when the team isn't prepared and makes mental errors. That is what leaders and managers get in the deal. What you do currently, not what you did last year. Its also irrational to judge an HC on Superbowl wins. Too many factors, too many odds. It is but one small measure. Who is ready to say McCarthy was/is a better coach than LaFleur?

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