As the NFC North showdown approaches, the Green Bay Packers face the Detroit Lions under high stakes.
Despite Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs accidentally leaking drop-back protection codes on social media, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur isn’t counting on the information to tip the scales in his team’s favor.
Like Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who brushed off the incident, LaFleur considers the codes “overrated.” Speaking Tuesday, he emphasized that understanding such details doesn’t ensure a competitive edge.
“I don’t think our guys are going to sit and study every code word they have. You can pick this stuff up from TV copies. Every team listens to their own calls and their opponents’ to piece things together,” LaFleur explained.
LaFleur acknowledged teams rely on comprehensive resources like game film and digital tools for preparation. While the Packers may already have insights into Detroit’s protection schemes, LaFleur stressed that success still depends on executing the fundamentals of football.
Meanwhile, Campbell appeared unconcerned about the leak, even joking about Gibbs’ blunder. He asserted that if code words could decide the game, his team wasn’t good enough to win. “We could post our whole playbook, and it wouldn’t hurt us,” Campbell remarked, downplaying any potential advantage for Green Bay.
The video that sparked the incident featured teammate Jermar Jefferson in front of a board displaying the Lions’ protection calls. While the footage gained attention, Campbell suggested it was far from revealing their full strategy.
Ultimately, both coaches seem focused on the larger picture, trusting their teams’ preparation over relying on decoding signals. The real battle will play out on the field Thursday night.
