Matt LaFleur, the Green Bay Packers and the art of a choke
If Green Bay doesn't move on now, then when?
All vivid images will live on forever. When we think back to the Green Bay Packers’ total meltdown at Soldier Field, the franchise’s worst loss since the 2014 NFC Championship Game, a loop of plays and sound bites will immediately surface.
For Green Bay, there’s the 1-on-1 shot to tight end Luke Musgrave. If Jordan Love puts more air underneath his ball or if the tight end does a better sell job, that’s an easy DPI call. The bird’s eye angle of Love’s second-to-last throw to Christian Watson deep center reveals how close the quarterback was to making the throw of his life. Of course, there’s all three missed kicks by Brandon McManus. Once the 31-27 comeback was complete, Watson threw down his helmet.
For Chicago, an absurd throw by Caleb Williams on fourth and 8 to save the season with 5:28 left will replay for years. So will Ben Johnson’s brisk, drive-by handshake with Matt LaFleur at midfield. He can’t wait to speed off to the locker room for a loud “Fuck the Packers! Fuck them!”
But the sight that perfectly encapsulates this one?