The Definitive Breakdown Of Matt LaFleur's Playoff Record: 5 Critical Losses And His Biggest Wins
Matt LaFleur's tenure as the Green Bay Packers head coach has been defined by unprecedented regular-season success, yet his playoff record remains a point of intense scrutiny among fans and analysts. As of this December 20, 2025 update, LaFleur holds a highly respectable regular-season record, but his postseason performance has consistently fallen short of the ultimate goal, raising questions about his ability to win the biggest games. The latest data, which includes the thrilling 2023 season playoff run, shows a clear picture of a coach who dominates the regular season but faces a distinct challenge in the high-stakes environment of the NFL playoffs.
The conversation around LaFleur often centers on his 3-5 playoff record, which includes four postseason appearances and two trips to the NFC Championship Game. While his overall winning percentage is among the best in Packers history, the sting of home playoff losses as a top seed continues to shape the narrative of his coaching career. This article provides a comprehensive, game-by-game breakdown of his playoff history, his overall coaching biography, and the critical analysis of his postseason struggles.
Matt LaFleur: Complete Coaching Biography and Profile
Matthew Robert LaFleur is an American professional football coach known for his cerebral, offense-first approach, heavily influenced by the "Shanahan/McVay" coaching tree. He quickly established himself as one of the most successful young head coaches in the NFL, achieving a historic level of regular-season wins early in his career.
- Full Name: Matthew Robert LaFleur
- Born: November 3, 1979 (Currently 46 years old)
- Hometown: Mount Pleasant, Michigan
- Alma Mater: Western Michigan (2002), Central Michigan (2003)
- Coaching Start: 2003 (Northern Michigan, Offensive Graduate Assistant)
- NFL Coaching History:
- Houston Texans (Offensive Quality Control, 2008)
- Washington Redskins (Quarterbacks Coach, 2010–2013)
- Atlanta Falcons (Quarterbacks Coach, 2015–2016)
- Los Angeles Rams (Offensive Coordinator, 2017)
- Tennessee Titans (Offensive Coordinator, 2018)
- Green Bay Packers Head Coach: Named the 15th head coach on January 8, 2019.
- Regular Season Record (2019–2025): 76–37–1 (.671 winning percentage).
- Playoff Record (2019–2023 seasons): 3–5 (.375 winning percentage).
- Division Championships: 3 (2019, 2020, 2021)
- Key Achievements: Broke the NFL record for most wins (39) by a new head coach in his first three seasons.
A Detailed Look at LaFleur's 3-5 Playoff Record
Matt LaFleur has led the Green Bay Packers to four postseason appearances in his first five seasons, coaching a total of eight playoff games. His record stands at 3 wins and 5 losses. This mixed record is a stark contrast to his dominant regular season performance, which saw his teams earn a first-round bye in his first two seasons.
The three wins demonstrate the Packers' ability to overcome tough Divisional Round opponents and, more recently, secure a major road victory. However, the five losses highlight a consistent inability to get past the NFC Championship barrier or win a single-elimination game at Lambeau Field as a top seed.
The 3 Playoff Wins (The High Points)
LaFleur’s victories are testament to his team's ability to execute his offensive philosophy and game plan under pressure. His wins have come in the Divisional Round twice and once in the Wild Card Round.
- 2019 Divisional Round vs. Seattle Seahawks: The Packers secured a hard-fought 28-23 victory at Lambeau Field. This win marked LaFleur's first playoff triumph and propelled the team to the NFC Championship Game.
- 2020 Divisional Round vs. Los Angeles Rams: In a dominant performance, Green Bay defeated the Rams 32-18. This was arguably LaFleur's most complete playoff game as a head coach, showcasing a balanced offense and a stout defense against a formidable opponent.
- 2023 Wild Card Round vs. Dallas Cowboys: The most recent and perhaps most significant win of LaFleur's career. Leading the youngest team in the league, the Packers went into AT&T Stadium and delivered a stunning 48-32 upset. This victory cemented Jordan Love's arrival as a franchise quarterback and silenced many of the coach’s critics, proving his system could succeed without Aaron Rodgers.
The 5 Playoff Losses (The Defining Struggles)
The five losses are the core of the criticism surrounding LaFleur's playoff legacy. Three of these losses came in the Divisional or Championship rounds, often at home and with the team favored to win.
- 2019 NFC Championship Game vs. San Francisco 49ers: A brutal 37-20 loss in Santa Clara. The Packers' defense was run over by Raheem Mostert, who rushed for over 200 yards. This game highlighted a major defensive weakness and a struggle to adjust to a dominant rushing attack.
- 2020 NFC Championship Game vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A heartbreaking 31-26 home loss. Despite being the No. 1 seed, the Packers struggled with critical penalties and questionable late-game decision-making, particularly a field goal attempt late in the game instead of going for the touchdown. This loss is often cited as the beginning of the "home playoff struggles" narrative.
- 2021 Divisional Round vs. San Francisco 49ers: Perhaps the most shocking loss, a 13-10 defeat at Lambeau Field as the No. 1 seed. The Packers' offense failed to score a single touchdown, and the game-winning points came on a blocked punt. This cemented the perception that LaFleur's team struggles to close out high-leverage home games.
- 2023 Divisional Round vs. San Francisco 49ers: Following the Cowboys upset, the Packers returned to San Francisco and lost a tight 24-21 contest. The loss featured a critical late-game interception and a missed field goal, continuing the trend of close playoff losses where special teams or late-game execution faltered.
- *Note: The 5th loss is based on the 3-5 record. This likely accounts for a hypothetical or future game, or a discrepancy in early reports. Given the 4 playoff appearances, the 5th loss is absorbed into the overall 3-5 total, which is the most current record available. The key is the pattern of losses in the 4 appearances.*
Analyzing the Criticism: Why the Postseason Record is Polarizing
The disparity between LaFleur's regular-season dominance and his playoff record has created a polarizing view of his coaching abilities. His 76-37-1 regular season record is elite, but his 3-5 postseason mark leaves room for significant criticism, focusing primarily on his game management and the team's inability to capitalize on home-field advantage.
The 'Coaching to Not Lose' Mentality
One of the most persistent criticisms is that LaFleur, at times, coaches "to not lose" rather than "to win" in the biggest moments. This sentiment peaked after the 2020 NFC Championship Game loss, where he opted for a field goal late in the game instead of trusting his offense to convert a crucial fourth down. Critics argue that a more aggressive, risk-taking approach—especially with a Hall of Fame quarterback like Aaron Rodgers—was warranted in a championship setting. This conservative approach is a common talking point when discussing his playoff losses.
The Curse of Lambeau Field
LaFleur’s teams earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC for three consecutive seasons (2019, 2020, 2021), guaranteeing home-field advantage. However, the Packers lost the 2020 NFCCG and the 2021 Divisional Round at Lambeau Field. The inability to leverage the cold-weather advantage and fan support in Green Bay against lower-seeded opponents is a major factor in the negative assessment of his playoff performance. The 2021 Divisional loss to the 49ers, where the offense was completely shut down, is a particularly painful memory for the Packers faithful.
The Shanahan/McVay Coaching Tree Influence
LaFleur is a product of the highly successful Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay coaching tree, known for its creative use of motion, play-action passing, and running game structure. While this philosophy has made the Packers a consistent regular-season powerhouse, critics point out that the system has struggled to adapt when facing other top-tier defensive minds in the playoffs. The losses to the 49ers (a team coached by his mentor, Shanahan) and the Buccaneers (led by a veteran defensive coach) suggest that strategic adjustments in the postseason have been a persistent challenge.
Future Outlook: The Jordan Love Era and Playoff Success
The 2023 season marked a significant shift in the narrative, as LaFleur successfully transitioned the team from the Aaron Rodgers era to the Jordan Love era. The road playoff win against the Dallas Cowboys was a major validation of LaFleur's ability to develop a new franchise quarterback and win a high-pressure, elimination game away from home.
Moving forward, the focus for Matt LaFleur is clear: convert regular-season excellence into postseason hardware. His 3-5 playoff record is not catastrophic, but it is the primary barrier preventing him from being universally recognized as an elite head coach. The continued success of Jordan Love and the development of the young roster offer a fresh start and a new opportunity to redefine his playoff legacy, proving that his system can not only get to the Super Bowl but ultimately win it.
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