3 NFL coaches who earned their pink slips in Week 9

These three NFL coaches did not do themselves any favors in terms of job security in Week 9.

The NFL season has entered its ninth week, and the scheduled set of games were not exactly the most enticing. Even so, there were some interesting results, such as the Detroit Lions upsetting the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets handing the Buffalo Bills their second loss of the season.

Much like every week, the head coaches are under the proverbial microscope, especially those who are having difficulties picking up wins.

Here are three head coaches who should be on the hot seat after Week 9.

3. Matt LaFleur, Packers

For the first time in the Matt LaFleur era in Green Bay, the Packers are not near the top of the NFC North. In fact, they are firmly on the outside looking in alongside the Chicago Bears and Lions, as the Minnesota Vikings sit at 7-1 on the season after Week 9.

The Packers had a winnable game against the Lions, despite all of their struggles on offense. Yet, Green Bay could not get anything going offensively. The team had four trips in the red zone, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers managed to throw interceptions on three of those trips. In this game alone, Rodgers nearly matched his season total in 2021 (four).

On their second drive in the red zone, they needed just one yard to score a touchdown. Instead of using Aaron Jones, the star of the offense, they elected to use A.J. Dillon. Dillon ran to the left on one play and to the right on another, and was stopped short. Rodgers attempted a pass to Sammy Watkins, but it fell incomplete. Then, on fourth-and-goal, Rodgers’ pass intended for LEFT TACKLE David Bakhtiari was intercepted by Lions rookie defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

Green Bay’s passing game is an obvious weakness, as the wide receiver corps is completely banged up. In this game alone, Romeo Doubs had to get carted off the field after Green Bay’s first offensive play of the game, and Christian Watson was removed for a concussion check, and didn’t return.

Yet, the Packers elected to pass the ball 43 times, while running the ball just 25. Dillon received 11 carries, as opposed to Jones’ nine.

The Packers now see their losing streak extend to five games. The schedule is only getting tougher for the team, as they face the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, and Philadelphia Eagles in the next three weeks. If the losses continue to pile up, the calls for a change at head coach are only going to get louder.