GREEN BAY – While Matt LaFleur didn't hesitate to name health as the Packers' top priority over their bye week, he also made clear there's more to it if his team is to get this season headed where it wants to go.
Green Bay's strong 2-0 start hasn't totally been undone by the loss and tie the last two weeks. But the chance for a better start was squandered due to untimely mistakes and inconsistent play that revealed how much more focus and attention to detail is needed to stay on the right track.
"I don't expect us to play our best football in September," LaFleur said last week, just prior to dismissing the players for a five-day break. "We've got to get better. I'm more worried about getting better each and every game.
"You can look at our record right now, we're 2-1-1. Are we disappointed we're not better? Absolutely. But even in the two games we won, I don't think we put together a full game of complementary football. So, we've got to somehow, some way be able to do that collectively in all three phases where we're putting our best out there."
For all the good through four games, each segment of the team has experienced major letdowns.
The offense, having started fast in three of the four, managed just 10 points in Cleveland and gave the ball away when it needed to close the game out. It also committed a similarly game-changing, and totally unnecessary, turnover late in the first half at Dallas and has been plagued by pre-snap penalties.
The defense, which didn't allow a touchdown until the fourth quarter of each of the first three games, suddenly gave up five TDs in a span of six possessions in Dallas.
And the special teams, despite solid work in the punt game and a couple of game-saving field goals, has had two kicks blocked that have altered the scoreboard. Penalties have been too frequent in the return game as well.
None of that is news to LaFleur, and it can't all get corrected overnight.
"It's a process to get there," he said.
And the focus on that process must heighten beginning this week when the Packers return to practice, so when they face a stout defense like the Browns' or an explosive offense like the Cowboys', they can still find enough success in a difficult matchup so winnable games don't get away.
"We've got to somehow find a way that when you're playing somebody else's strength, you've got to hold up your end really in every phase to find a way to win the game," LaFleur said.
That's not to discount the part health will play in the Packers reaching their potential.
It remains to be seen when starting offensive linemen Zach Tom (oblique) and Aaron Banks (groin) can return to the lineup after missing most of the last three games. A third offensive lineman, rookie Anthony Belton (ankle), also has missed time lately, while defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (knee) is considered week to week after exiting the Dallas game.
"We've got to get these guys their bodies back and then we also understand that it's going to be a long haul after the bye," LaFleur said, referring to 13 straight games to close the regular season, with the only respite of sorts coming Thanksgiving weekend after the Packers play on the Thursday holiday on a short week.
"So you better get your mind right to go on that journey."
Offensive reinforcements in the form of receiver Christian Watson and running back MarShawn Lloyd could return to practice as soon as this week, but no decisions were announced heading into the bye.
With taking the past weekend off, the team gets a "bonus" practice Monday, while the regular on-field week of preparation resumes Wednesday through Friday before a struggling Bengals team without star QB Joe Burrow visits Lambeau Field.
A third win in 2025 has proven elusive thus far in two games that were there for the taking. There's nothing the Packers can do about those now but understand why they came up short and what it will take to cash in on the next chance.
"When given the opportunities, you've got to maximize them, got to capitalize on them," LaFleur said. "When you don't, you feel like we feel right now.
"I think this will be a good reset for us, and we'll get back together on Monday and get onto Cincinnati."
