Shock Revelation: Did Packers’ Underestimation of Browns Cost Them the Game?

So, did the Green Bay Packers stroll into Week 3 thinking the Cleveland Browns were just a warm-up act? Because, honestly, that’s the vibe. You can’t help but wonder—how does a team with Super Bowl dreams rattle off 14 penalties and look so… unfocused? ESPN’s Jen Lada called it straight-up complacency, and watching Jordan Love toss those passes in Cleveland, it kinda feels like Green Bay was half-distracted at best. Now, I get it—Matt LaFleur and Love are pushing back on that narrative, but when you face one of the league’s stingiest defenses, you don’t just show up with your “meh” game. Maybe this loss? It’s a necessary slap in the face—a reminder that talent ain’t the whole story—especially if you’re gonna play with fire against a defense that bites hard. Let’s dig into what went wrong, and why this might be the wake-up call the Packers desperately needed before the season snowballs.

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 21: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on September 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. — (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Green Bay Packers didn’t bring their best in Week 3.

Despite being heavy favorites, they didn’t look sharp in their loss to the Cleveland Browns.

With that in mind, Jen Lada of ESPN Milwaukee called them out for mailing this one in.

“I believe they went into this game against the Browns a little complacent,” Lada said.

"They went into this game against the Browns a little complacent!" pic.twitter.com/Ds5BpyPHjc

— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) September 22, 2025

While head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Jordan Love are denying that narrative, Lada believes the Packers didn’t take the Browns as seriously as they should have.

Moreover, she said she couldn’t understand how Green Bay could look past Cleveland’s defense, knowing that it’s been one of the best in the league this season.

The Packers didn’t seem to be focused, which showed in their season-high 14 penalties.

That’s unacceptable, not only for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, but for any NFL team.

Of course, this isn’t the end of the world, and that doesn’t mean the Packers aren’t a legitimate title contender.

Then again, this may have been the type of wake-up call that a team needs when it has to humble itself.

This should be a tough lesson that the Packers needed to learn sooner rather than later.

No NFL team can expect to go through the motions and half-heartedly make its way to a win.

Talent alone might be enough to get by now and then, but not against one of the best defenses in the game.

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