Packers HC Matt LaFleur gets heated on sideline against Lions fan: “Shut the f**k up”

It won't be an NFC North matchup without some heated rhetoric and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur provided it against a Lions fan. As Green Bay rolled into Detroit, a supporter probably said something from the stands. This was before a ball had been snapped. The visiting team's coach seemed to reply with,

“Shut the f**k up”

Matt LaFleur has been respectful of Lions despite Packers' connection

Matt LaFleur might have been combative against the Lions supporter, however, he has been nothing but respectful of Detroit despite being the head coach of a divisional rival. Before their last matchup, which the visiting team won at Lambeau Field, he had called their opponents the best team in the NFL. He had said,

"They're really, really good and we knew that. We knew that going into the year, and it's not shocking to me. It's a team we're obviously very familiar with, and we're going to have to play at our best."

Matt LaFleur repeated that message before this game, in the context of Jahmyr Gibbs' purported leaks of the Lions' game plans. He said that the Packers won't gain an advantage from that, noting,

“I’m sure our guys aren’t going to sit there and study every code word they have in their offense. I mean, you can get this stuff in the TV copies. I mean, there are certain things you can pick up off the TV copies."

The Green Bay head coach then reiterated his praise for today's opposition,

"That’s why most teams — I would say probably every team in the league — listens to what they’re putting out there as well as what the opponent’s putting out there and you try to piece it together. Personally, I think it’s probably a little bit overrated. Ultimately you still gotta stop whatever they’re doing.”

The Packers came into the matchup with a 9-3 record, which would have been enough for the divisional lead in the NFC West and the NFC South. However, the NFC North has been the most competitive group in 2024, with the Lions and the Vikings ahead of them.

Detroit had an 11-1 record, the best across both conferences in the NFL, entering this clash. Therefore, Green Bay knew that coming into this game they could win this matchup and come to within a game of the Lions.

Apart from the division, both teams are also in contention for the conference lead. Detroit currently leads it but the Vikings and the Eagles are 10-2 and know a loss will give them a chance to pull level.