Matt LaFleur
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Matt LaFleur fired a warning shot at Joe Flacco ahead of the Packers' Week 2 matchup with the Browns
The Green Bay Packers have put the NFL on notice in the first two weeks of the 2025 campaign, picking up big wins over the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders to open the new season. In Week 3, the Packers will face off against the Cleveland Browns, and head coach Matt LaFleur sent a scary warning to their quarterback, Joe Flacco.
Whereas the Lions and Commanders are viewed as Super Bowl contenders in the NFC, the Browns are widely regarded as one of the worst teams in the league. As a result, Green Bay could have a field day in this one, and it sounds like LaFleur is expecting his pass rush to have a big day against Cleveland’s offensive line.
Matt LaFleur Sends Warning to Joe Flacco
There’s no such thing as an easy game in the NFL, but the talent disparity on paper favors the Packers in a big way. After acquiring Micah Parsons in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys right before the start of the season, that has helped elevate Green Bay’s roster to another level, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Through two games, the Packers have racked up eight sacks, and given how much pressure both Jared Goff and Jayden Daniels were under during these games, that total could probably be higher. Rashan Gary is leading the way with 2.5, with Devonte Wyatt having two behind him and Parsons having 1.5 himself.
Against the Browns, this unit could be set to tee off against the 40-year-old Flacco, who is not as mobile as he once was under center. That’s certainly what LaFleur is expecting to happen, as he admitted that, while there are some unique challenges that come with facing Flacco, they can be negated if he is consistently facing pressure throughout the game.
“He’s a Super Bowl-winning quarterback,” LaFleur said of Flacco. “You gotta be really dialed in, in terms of your coverage, because it’s gonna be tough to fool him, there’s nothing that he hasn’t seen. I think a big key is just gonna be able to try to get him off the spot, get pressure to him. I always tell our guys, whether it’s our quarterback or anybody else, it’s hard to throw from your back, so I think that’s gonna be critical.”
Matt Lafleur, Packers Looking to Earn Third Straight Win
Matt LaFleur, head coach of the Green Bay Packers
GettyMatt LaFleur, head coach of the Green Bay Packers
Considering the quality of the opponents they have faced in their first two games, and the manner in which they have won both of those games, the Packers have had arguably the most impressive start of any team to begin the 2025 season. Of course, it’s only two games, so there is still a lot of work to be done if this team intends to reach its main goal of winning a Super Bowl this year.
With that in mind, picking up a victory over Cleveland is going to be crucial because every win is important, especially when you play in the crowded NFC North division like Green Bay does. Kickoff for their Week 3 action is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, and if all goes according to plan for the Packers, Flacco and the Browns could be in for a long afternoon.