Matt LaFleur Explains Pregame Dispute With ‘Arrogant’ Lions Fan: ‘I’ve never seen that.’

LaFleur challenged a Detroit Lions supporter before the game at Ford Field. via NFL Network

The Packers coach got into a violent screaming war with a Detroit supporter before the game Thursday night.

The Detroit Lions’ 34-31 triumph against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night was a tense affair even before the first snap.

During the pregame festivities, a Lions fan participating in an event on the field approached the Packers’ sideline to speak trash. LaFleur shouted at him to leave, and his players went forward to support their coach.

“I’ve never been a part of something like that,” LaFleur stated after the game. “He was yelling trash to our guys and giving them the ‘throat-slash’ gesture. And you’re trying to deescalate the situation, and then he comes in my face. I think that was rather unsportsmanlike. I’ve never seen that before. I’ve gone to numerous fields, and they generally police them considerably better.

“I assumed it was an egotistical fan who wanted a piece of the action. I’d want to see security or whatever come in and remove him out of there. Because he should not be doing it.

Things got “spicy” before Thursday’s game between Matt LaFleur and a Lions fan who was on the field to hold the flag for the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/jv1V4smgMx

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 6, 2024

Unfortunately for LaFleur, the Lions fan had a better night.

Green Bay came back from a 10-0 hole to lead 28-24 early in the fourth quarter. However, Detroit converted a dangerous fourth down in the last minute of regulation, resulting in Jake Bates’ game-winning field goal as time expired.

The Lions have dominated the Packers in recent years, winning six of their past seven games and sweeping the 2024 season series. Detroit’s franchise-record 11th consecutive win sealed a playoff berth for the second year in a row.

The Packers, who are now 9-4 and in third place in the division, will attempt to keep their NFC wild-card playoff position.

TWENTYMAN: Summing up the rest of the Lions’ schedule

After their exciting 34–31 win over Green Bay on Thursday night, the Detroit Lions will have a kind of bye week to rest and heal. The Lions have been hurt lately, so the break comes at a great time. Some players should be able to get back on the field now that there are 10 days until the Dec. 15 game against Buffalo.

The following is a breakdown of Detroit’s last four games of the calendar year

After their exciting 34–31 win over Green Bay on Thursday night, the Detroit Lions will have a kind of bye week to rest and heal. The Lions have been hurt lately, so the break comes at a great time. Some players should be able to get back on the field now that there are 10 days until the Dec. 15 game against Buffalo.

The following is a breakdown of Detroit’s last four games of the calendar year.

Week 15 versus Buffalo

Some are referring to this as a potential Super Bowl preview in Detroit. After 13 games, the Lions are the greatest team in the NFC (12-1), while some contend that the Bills (10-2) are the best club in the AFC. The Chiefs had only one loss this season, and that was against Buffalo.

Twentyman: Entering their Week 14 game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Bills have a top-five offensive and a top-ten defense in terms of points per game. They will be the most complete squad the Lions have faced this season, with MVP candidate Josh Allen at quarterback.