Packers Regret Loss to Bears in Wild Card Playoff Game as LaFleur's Seat Grows Hot.
Aaron Rodgers' voodoo curse on the Chicago Bears, which had plagued the Green Bay Packers for years, seems to have finally run out. The Bears, led by quarterback Caleb Williams, pulled off an unlikely victory over the Packers in their wild-card playoff game Saturday night at Soldier Field, leaving the Packers stunned and wondering what went wrong.
The Packers' defensive end Rashan Gary summed up the team's frustration after the 31-27 loss: "Frustrated. We had them where we wanted. Just got to find a way to finish." The Packers' coach, Matt LaFleur, was equally candid about his team's performance in the post-game press conference.
"We knew they were a team that could come back and fight," LaFleur said. "They've proven it all season long. We had opportunities to put them away and we didn't get it done."
LaFleur's contract with the Packers is set to expire after next season, and he is expected to discuss an extension with the team this offseason. The outcome of the game may not have directly affected those talks, but it certainly raised questions about LaFleur's future in Green Bay.
The Bears' quarterback Caleb Williams proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with on Saturday night, leading his team to a stunning comeback victory. "He's a hell of a player," said Packers defensive end Rashan Gary. "And as you see, the team goes as he goes. So you've got to stop that engine, which is him."
LaFleur acknowledged Williams' talent but also emphasized the need for his own team to improve their performance in big games. "He's a guy that's tough to contain," LaFleur said. "The whole plan was to try to especially eliminate his ability to go right β that's what he likes to do. But he made a heck of a play."
As the Packers prepare for the offseason, they will have to grapple with the reality of their disappointing playoff loss and the uncertainty surrounding their coach's future.
Aaron Rodgers' voodoo curse on the Chicago Bears, which had plagued the Green Bay Packers for years, seems to have finally run out. The Bears, led by quarterback Caleb Williams, pulled off an unlikely victory over the Packers in their wild-card playoff game Saturday night at Soldier Field, leaving the Packers stunned and wondering what went wrong.
The Packers' defensive end Rashan Gary summed up the team's frustration after the 31-27 loss: "Frustrated. We had them where we wanted. Just got to find a way to finish." The Packers' coach, Matt LaFleur, was equally candid about his team's performance in the post-game press conference.
"We knew they were a team that could come back and fight," LaFleur said. "They've proven it all season long. We had opportunities to put them away and we didn't get it done."
LaFleur's contract with the Packers is set to expire after next season, and he is expected to discuss an extension with the team this offseason. The outcome of the game may not have directly affected those talks, but it certainly raised questions about LaFleur's future in Green Bay.
The Bears' quarterback Caleb Williams proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with on Saturday night, leading his team to a stunning comeback victory. "He's a hell of a player," said Packers defensive end Rashan Gary. "And as you see, the team goes as he goes. So you've got to stop that engine, which is him."
LaFleur acknowledged Williams' talent but also emphasized the need for his own team to improve their performance in big games. "He's a guy that's tough to contain," LaFleur said. "The whole plan was to try to especially eliminate his ability to go right β that's what he likes to do. But he made a heck of a play."
As the Packers prepare for the offseason, they will have to grapple with the reality of their disappointing playoff loss and the uncertainty surrounding their coach's future.