Packers’ Special Teams Unit is Anything But Special

Blocked Kicks

Blocked kicks negatively impacted the Packers in back-to-back weeks. In Cleveland, Packers kicker Brandon McManus attempted a 43-yard field goal with 27 seconds remaining. McManus’ kick never made it beyond the line of scrimmage. Instead of a game clinching field goal, Bisaccia’s unit set the Browns offense up with great field position for their own game winning attempt.

The following week offered no relief from the cheese heads’ mounting frustration. McManus experienced yet another blocked kick, this time on an extra point attempt. Dallas returned the blocked extra point for a two-point defensive conversion, effectively serving as a three-point swing. For a game that ended in a rare tie, these points robbed the Packers of a road win over a conference rival.

Disproportionate Penalties

The problems with the Packers’ special teams don’t end with blocked kicks. Penalties against the Packers’ special teams rival that of their defense.

Through four games, Green Bay’s defense has been penalized for 68 total yards, while the special teams has racked up 59. This is alarming, considering the defensive unit is on the field three times as much as the special teams unit.

The Packers must correct this pattern immediately. Special teams penalties are far more likely to occur in critical moments, such as fourth downs or scoring attempts. Indiscipline on special teams can change the momentum of a game by taking points off the board, extending drives, or forfeiting field position.

Bisaccia’s Short Leash

Green Bay has been plagued by poor special teams play for too long. Critics are already calling the extension of coach Bisaccia a mistake. The criticism of Bisaccia is justified. Including the 2024 playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Packers have lost three of their last five games in large part due to significant special teams failures.

The Packers are too good of a football team to consistently lose games, even partially, due to poor special teams play. Head Coach Matt Lafleur has been criticized for allowing under-performing coordinators to hang around in the past.

Is it possible that he has finally learned the consequences of delayed action?