PACKERS TIGHT END KRAFT REACTS TO LAMBEAU FIELD BOOS

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft has spoken out after home fans booed the team during a 35-14 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night at Lambeau Field. The result left head coach Matt LaFleur's side with a 1-2 record, which Kraft's team have described as the worst start of LaFleur's eight-season tenure. Kraft told reporters after the game that hearing boos at Lambeau Field was "pretty tough" and "disappointing", particularly during a home opener. He said the reaction would not help the team win, adding that players are "grown men" who are "mentally strong enough" to respond on the field. Kraft said he would prefer the crowd's support rather than opposition going forward.

The defeat followed the Packers' loss to the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card Round earlier this year. Green Bay's defence struggled to contain Atlanta's Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson and Drake London during Thursday's game. The Packers' offence, led by quarterback Jordan Love, gained 328 total yards, including 311 passing yards but just 17 rushing yards. The loudest boos of the night came in the third quarter, when Green Bay, trailing 17-7, faced fourth-and-one at the Falcons' seven-yard line. LaFleur chose to go for the first down rather than kick a field goal, but Atlanta's Gervon Dexter pressured Love, whose pass toward Christian Watson in the end zone fell incomplete, resulting in a turnover on downs.

Kraft finished the game with four receptions for 26 yards. He said he views Lambeau Field as his "home stadium" rather than a place associated with boos from the crowd. Kraft's comments came as the Packers look to recover from their slow start to the season under LaFleur.