Green Bay Packers: NFC Championship Game special teams recap

Jacob Schum

Punts:

1. 58 yards (ATL 9); 14 yard return (ATL 23)
2. 50 yards (ATL 25); Fair Catch

With Green Bay failing to score for so long into the game, you would think that Schum’s leg would be getting a major workout. Due to the many unfortunate breaks suffered by the offense in the first half — the missed field goal by Crosby on the first Green Bay drive, Aaron Ripkowski‘s fumble on their second drive, Aaron Rodgers‘ interception on their fourth drive — and the large deficit the team was up against after all that however, Schum saw just a couple opportunities to get out on the field.

Can’t say he didn’t try to make the most of those few chances.

In a surprising turn for someone not known for leg strength, Schum put each of those kicks at least 50 yards down the field. The second was his better showing, going exactly 50 for a fair catch at the Atlanta 25; the first yet again showed the weakness still evident in his game.

He does have the ability to get the ball deep down the field without aid from the wind nor lucky bounces, but in gaining that distance he must sacrifice hangtime. When he does that, it gets the ball to the returner long before his coverage guys can get there, allowing for return yardage to get picked up. That’s what happened here, with 14 yards being handed right back to the Falcons.

Still, if his kick was one with proper hangtime it likely ends up right around there anyway, so the difference is basically null. With the other punt working out well, this was a really solid outing from Green Bay’s punter.

If only the same could be said for the rest of the team, maybe this may have actually been a close contest.