Green Bay Packers: Reflective look at Sunday’s loss
By Jamie Wright
Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Special Teams: Get it Together
The special teams play has been horrendous for most of the season. It has been a true weak point all year long. Nothing short of a Super Bowl win should save special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum’s job if the players can’t get it together through the final two weeks of the regular season, especially carrying over into the post season.
Jarrett Bush has been injured on and off and a whole slew of rookies and undrafted free agents have been earning their keep on the special teams unit – but their play has been embarrassing.
Blocked field goals, blocked extra points, kick/punt returns for touchdowns from the opposition … it has all killed the momentum this year, but in Buffalo it did more than that.
With the score 3-0 and the defense forcing a punt in the first quarter, the special teams unit gave up a huge 75-yard punt return for the only touchdown of the game for the Bills, swinging the momentum in their direction and keeping it there for the entire game.
Drawing even near the half couldn’t erase the blunder and the Packers couldn’t get the lead back, even after adjustments were made at halftime. It was a devastating blow to the Packers’ psyche, especially playing so poorly on offense.