Matt LaFleur has unique insight into the Lions, having faced them 10 times as the Packers’ head coach. A Mt. Pleasant native and former Saginaw Valley State player, LaFleur knows the team well.
So when he assesses the Lions, his view holds weight. And what’s his opinion on this year’s Lions?
“Arguably the best team in the NFL,” LaFleur stated during a press conference on Monday in Green Bay.
LaFleur spoke ahead of the Packers’ 2024 season opener against the Lions, set for Sunday in Green Bay.
The Packers will face a Lions team on a five-game win streak, the longest for Detroit since 2016. With 172 points in their last four games, Detroit leads the league in scoring over such a stretch since 2019.
Quarterback Jared Goff is in MVP contention, ranking second in passer rating, backed by a solid run game and resilient defense even with Aidan Hutchinson’s absence.
“They’re very, very good,” LaFleur noted. “We were aware of that from the start of the season. It’s not surprising to me. This is a team we know well, so we’ll need to play at our best. It all begins with preparation, and we need a strong week of practice.”
Meanwhile, the Packers are also riding a four-game win streak, with a recent 30-27 win over the Jaguars, where Malik Willis took over in the second half for the injured Jordan Love.
Love’s availability will be monitored this week, though LaFleur confirmed he won’t hold Love back due to injury concerns.
“If he’s able to play, he will,” LaFleur remarked. “We’ll assess by week’s end, but we won’t risk him if he can’t protect himself.”
