A once-civil Midwestern rivalry has evolved into something far uglier. It’s not just for bragging rights when the Lions and Packers line up for a game. It’s for blood, bruises and postseason survival. And the man who’s feeling all the heat? The head coach of Green Bay, Matt LaFleur. He has witnessed his team lose four games in a row against Detroit, lost his temper and resorted to locker room tantrums. Last season, Detroit’s crushing 24–3 victory over Green Bay at Lambeau left more than just a dent on the scoreboard. It fractured something deeper.

Following a fourth-down touchdown, LaFleur yelled at Dan Campbell’s staff, Packers players accused the Lions of “embarrassing” teams, and officials removed Brian Branch before he flipped off the Green Bay fans with both hands. And Amon-Ra St. Brown? Wore a “Green Bay Sucks” sweatshirt as he rolled into Lambeau. The animosity runs deep. This has gone beyond football. From Tucker Kraft publicly targeting Aaron Rodgers for retaliation, to Kerby Joseph intercepting his final Packers pass. As if the rivalry couldn’t get any more intense, Detroit’s newest weapon—a rookie from the hometown—just added fuel to the fire.

Before the season even started, Isaac TeSlaa made his first attack on the Packers on the St. Brown Brothers Podcast. Amon-Ra and Equanimeous St. Brown asked TeSlaa to list off the NFC North teams, and TeSlaa did it with ease. But then came the real heat. Equanimeous said, “You hate the Packers probably.” TeSlaa retorted, serious and unflinching, “I hate the Packers with a burning passion.” TeSlaa didn’t flinch when informed that Equanimeous was once a Packer, saying, “I know.” That’s not media training for rookies. That is animosity between generations. And Matt LaFleur probably heard it.

Not only did the Lions draft a 6’4″ athletic marvel with a 9.93 RAS when they traded up to select Isaac TeSlaa, but they also got a native kid who had a genetic hatred for green and gold. Born in Michigan. Raised on Barry Sanders highlights. And now? TeSlaa is making his NFL debut against the team he has hated all of his life, wearing the jersey he has always dreamt of.

And Lambeau Field will host Detroit’s 2025 season opener. Week 1. TeSlaa will make his NFL debut against the Packers in the opposition’s territory. For Matt LaFleur, this is more than a schedule quirk—it’s a tone-setter. Because it will be more than simply a personal statement if the rookie makes noise early. The announcement will be made for the entire division. Not to mention that the Packers haven’t defeated Detroit since 2022 under LaFleur. That’s a reign, not a rivalry. And seems like LaFleur also agrees.

Matt LaFleur admits what Packers fans fear: Detroit’s on top

When questioned about the dynamics of the NFC North on the Up & Adams show, Matt LaFleur didn’t mince words. He admitted, “I probably have a different perspective than you growing up in the state of Michigan…I think they are all rivals, and certainly when Detroit is—I mean, right now—they’re the class of the NFC.” The coach who has guided the Packers to several postseason appearances recently recognised the Lions as the conference’s best team. For Detroit fans? It’s music. For Green Bay fans? That’s surrender.

And it’s not like we are in 2021 anymore. The Bears are already rebuilding. The Vikings are retooling. After losing Aaron Rodgers and being snarled at home by a fierce Dan Campbell squad, the Packers are also readjusting. Matt LaFleur experienced it directly. LaFleur lamented the throat-slashing actions of Detroit fans during their 2023 loss to the Lions, describing the atmosphere as “unsportsmanlike.” In other words, Detroit got in his head.

The Lions have since doubled down. In Honolulu Blue, they made Lambeau appear like a road game. And LaFleur? While observing his former position at the top being taken up, he is attempting to reorient his youthful team. “I told our team, we have to earn the right to come back,” he said after another Detroit beating. It was an obvious message. To himself, as well as to the Packers locker room.

But the fact that this matchup is more than just Lions vs. Packers is what makes it so exciting. The rookie has made it LaFleur vs. TeSlaa. In a symbolic sense. One is an enthusiastic rookie who exudes Detroit spirit. The other is a coach who has been through a lot and is attempting to halt the bleeding. “Momentum doesn’t wait around in the NFL,” LaFleur stated. So, Week 1 is more than a game. It’s a reckoning.