The Green Bay Packers will be watching the Super Bowl as spectators instead of playing in the big game, and Packers fans they will be wondering what could have gone differently.
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers fell just short of Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, losing 31-26 on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Despite being down 21-10 at the half, then 28-10 right after the half due to an Aaron Jones fumble, the Packers came back and got within a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Ryan Succop kicked a field goal to extend the Bucs' lead to 31-23, and the Packers had Rodgers with time on the clock and a chance to tie the game.
The Packers drove down the field and got within a few yards from scoring. However, Rodgers threw three straight incomplete passes within the 10-yard line, and LaFleur surprised many by kicking a field goal instead of going for it on fourth down.
LaFleur will be faced with questions galore regarding the decision and explained his reasoning after the game.
Matt LaFleur says he regrets the field-goal decision in hindsight: "It was just the circumstances of having three shots and coming away with no yards, and not only needing the touchdown but the 2-point." He thought of having 4 timeouts to get a stop, and how defense was battling.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) January 25, 2021
Sure, he played it safe and got the points, but giving the ball back to Brady is never a good idea.
The Packers fans and Rodgers included didn't seem too enthusiastic about the call, and the Green Bay signal-caller commented on it afterward.
Aaron Rodgers on the #Packers kicking a FG instead of going for it on. 4th down: "I understand the thinking, but it wasn't my decision."
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 25, 2021
If they would have scored on fourth down, they would've needed the two-point conversation to tie the game and Brady would've had ample time to march right back down the field.
Still, a risky move by LaFleur to put the game in the hands of the defense against one of the best players in the history of the game.
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