Matt LaFleur pushing for Packers to reach another level

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It wasn’t all bad, of course. Season highs of 174 rushing yards and 51 punt return yards were significant highlights and bode well as the stretch run continues. The Packers also got a lot of mileage and opportunities out of packages that included three tight ends, so having four healthy ones active on game day could become a regular occurrence.


But to LaFleur, the next level – or a more consistent level of play at least – will be rooted in the “details” of the plays and their execution. He emphasized it starts with the coaching staff harping on those details so the players have everything they need to execute with greater precision.


That may not be the explanation fans want to hear, because it’ll make them wonder why the details aren’t down three months into the regular season. But it’s like anything that falls under the category of fundamentals – if they aren’t emphasized on an ongoing basis, they’re bound to lapse over the course of a long season.


“We’ll make sure that we do a great job of communicating what we’re trying to get accomplished on every play and why,” he said. “I think the why is absolutely imperative for these guys to understand what it is they’re trying to do.”


In the big picture, the Packers are trying to get ready for an NFC North gauntlet of three straight division games to end the regular season, starting with the Bears this week.


The Packers are 10-3, one game up on 9-4 Minnesota in the division, while the 7-6 Bears have won four of five and will be playing with basically their season on the line. Chicago has to win out and get some help in order to make the postseason.


Green Bay can win out to secure a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs, but as expected, that’s not on LaFleur’s mind. Going 1-0 this week is, and that starts with getting things shored up offensively in the regular-season home finale before hitting the road for two straight when additional challenges can impact execution.


For as much as he puts on himself, LaFleur also acknowledged the players understand their responsibility as well.


“Ultimately, they have to go out there and make the plays,” LaFleur said. “But, and I say this to the team, ‘We’re all in this together.’ There’s no doubt about it and I love the mentality of our guys. I don’t think anybody was satisfied with (Sunday), and I’d be disappointed if they were.”