Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur may have lost faith in the football gods after his team’s 24-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
The Packers had the fans at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. bracing for an upset over the hometown 49ers for most of the Divisional Round clash.
Green Bay was in control with a 21-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter. But the game turned on its head when Packers kicker Anders Carlson missed a 41-yard field goal attempt with over six minutes left.
Following the missed kick, FOX reporter Tom Rinaldi shared a comment LaFleur had made about Carlson prior to the game. The Packers coach admitted that he’s been seeking help from a higher power to help his struggling rookie kicker.
“When we talked to head coach Matt LaFleur about [Carlson’s struggles], he basically said, ‘When he goes out there, I just pray,'” Rinaldi quoted LaFleur.
INSANE… #Packers HC Matt LaFleur talking about his kicker Anders Carlson
“WHEN HE GOES OUT THERE, I JUST PRAY”
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 21, 2024
You can say that again pic.twitter.com/n8FA6aKWDy
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 21, 2024
LaFleur’s prayers this time apparently went unanswered.
A successful kick from Carlson, who led the NFL in missed kicks this season, would have given Green Bay a 24-17 lead late. Instead, the 49ers scored a go-ahead touchdown on their ensuing drive to secure a spot in the NFC Championship Game.
The 49ers were also able to put an end a rather jarring Kyle Shanahan streak. Despite the divine pleas from coach LaFleur, his Niners counterpart simply had the football gods’ favor.
