The Green Bay Packers had no business even having a chance to win Monday night. After an uneven, sloppy affair (especially on offense, according to Jaire Alexander) against the Las Vegas Raiders, though, the Packers found themselves with a game-deciding possession after the two-minute warning.
And they still wasted it — much to head coach Matt LaFleur’s chagrin.
With just over a minute to go, the Packers were deep in Raiders territory, looking for that glorious, decisive moment on a third-and-long. When Christian Watson came open on a deep route, it sure seemed like Green Bay was about to steal victory from the jaws of defeat. Most teams (read: good teams) don’t miss opportunities like this.
Folks, the Packers are not a good team.
Via a video from The Ringer’s Benjamin Solak, LaFleur was so excited seeing Watson come open that he started jumping up and down on the sideline. That’s what you call excellent play design and trust in your players’ abilities, right? Right? LaFleur probably felt so deflated then when Jordan Love waited way too long to pull the trigger, eventually throwing a horrific game-losing interception:
Look at Matt LaFleur (gray shirt) on the sideline jumping up and down when he sees Watson open pic.twitter.com/5JKwYV23gP
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) October 10, 2023
Oof. That’s brutal to watch. LaFleur got a great reminder on this sequence. Even when you dial up a great play, you’re still at the mercy of your players’ successful execution of your vision.
This was how Twitter reacted
you'd like to see more of a fight for the ball, but momentum doesn't really work like that.
throw is very late and very short.
Robertson does a nice job of "helping" Watson continue is backwards momentum https://t.co/on57CjpulO
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) October 10, 2023
He had em’… coulda hit him in stride, but even that might be asking too much of Jordan Love. https://t.co/telznfGxpz
— Adam Suderman (@adamsuderman) October 10, 2023
Underthrown and Watson gets overpowered by a much smaller CB….I hate everything https://t.co/6JoWFjBweC
— Elliott B (@SconnieFanBoy93) October 10, 2023
I still think Watson has to get better position and strength here, but man was the throw late. Just bad by everyone https://t.co/ircCiueJ7g
— McCade Pearson (@McCadeP8) October 10, 2023
Last night was the first time I considered walking back on my Jordan Love statements. I’m still hanging in there though https://t.co/PUK9LGsb35
— zach (@stop_n_look) October 10, 2023
Takes love forever to process the field man. This dude is so flawed man idk if I can watch him play QB for the packers any longer. https://t.co/OXenU0IYVP
— Bryce (@bswervo23) October 10, 2023
Love needed to throw the ball earlier…..there's 1 problem though. When he needed to throw it, he was scrambling cuz the OLine couldn't give him time. https://t.co/HzUsfwg742
— Preston Hemerley (@pdog3381) October 10, 2023
Cant blame Love for the late throw. He was trying to fight out of a sack. https://t.co/TzLERohP9x
— Don P 🧀🪓 (@DonP757) October 10, 2023
He forgot they traded Rodgers. https://t.co/28piFjKNKT
— Brett Rasdall (@BrettRasdall) October 10, 2023
