The Packers have an identity problem

Photo credit: Evan Siegle, packers.com

The Green Bay Packers failed to close out another game in their 39-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings to open the 2026 regular season.

Since the “Denver Disaster” last season, when the Packers lost to the Broncos 34-26 on top of losing Micah Parsons and Zach Bako-Bewele to season-ending injuries, they have been outscored 113-35 in the second half.

The loss to the Vikings also marks the Packers’ sixth straight loss dating back to last season, including the playoffs, when they gave up a 21-3 lead to the Chicago Bears.

One of the main talking points this offseason surrounding the Packers was their ability to finish games. Yesterday was just another example of what we saw throughout last season.

Is it a mental block? Is it coaching? Is it the culture?

The Packers’ inability to finish games has become a major talking point among fans and analysts.

Yesterday’s result against the Vikings will only add to the monkey on the back of a Packers team that has shown an inability to finish games.

There are multiple areas where this game went wrong including Jordan Love’s failed quarterback sneak on fourth down, bad offensive line play and a Packers defensive drive that was encapsulated by questionable penalties.

Fans may choose what they want to blame, but it’s deeper than that.

Matt LaFleur has been the head coach of the Packers for eight seasons now. Last season’s finish to the year was one of the worst finishes by a playoff team in NFL history.

LaFleur doesn’t make plays on the field, but when you look across the league at teams you don’t want to play in the fourth quarter, look at their head coaches.

Dan Campbell, Mike Macdonald, Ben Johnson, Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and DeMeco Ryans are just a few names whose teams have developed reputations for being difficult to put away late in games. 

Do the players in the Packers’ locker room feel the same way about Matt LaFleur?

It’s a deep question, and if changes aren’t made going forward, are we just going to see the same old Packers who can’t finish a game?

Having a good football team on paper is one thing, but having that team go up multiple scores and continue to blow games is a very odd and concerning trend that the Packers need to break out of.

The Packers do have one thing to look forward to that could help them break this trend, and that’s their elite pass rusher Micah Parsons.

Parsons made his impact early for the Packers and seemed to give this team a level of confidence in closing games that we haven’t seen since Aaron Rodgers was wearing the green and gold.

Time will only tell, but the Packers need to tread water until Weeks 5 or 6, when Micah Parsons makes his long-awaited return.

Real Packer Fans KnowπŸ§€

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