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10 things Green Bay Packers must do to reach the Super Bowl in 2020

By Freddie Boston

DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 6: In this handout provided by General Motors, Super Bowl XLV Most Valuable Player Aaron Rogders (L) receives the keys to a new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible from Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw after leading the Green Bay Packers to a 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 6, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by General Motors via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 6: In this handout provided by General Motors, Super Bowl XLV Most Valuable Player Aaron Rogders (L) receives the keys to a new 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible from Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw after leading the Green Bay Packers to a 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 6, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by General Motors via Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers, Mason Crosby
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 07: Kicker Mason Crosby #2 of the Green Bay Packers reacts to missing one of the three field goal attempts against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field on October 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

7. Improve on special teams

Special teams is often forgotten about and only discussed when mistakes happen. Well, considering how often Packers fans spoke about the team’s special teams play in 2018, it says a lot. Green Bay ranks 32nd in the NFL in Rick Gosselin’s 2018 special teams rankings.

Mistake after mistake after mistake continued to hurt the Packers, and all too often at key moments in games. From Mason Crosby‘s five missed kicks at Detroit to Ty Montgomery‘s fumble to wipe out the chance of a game-winning drive at the LA Rams, the Packers’ special teams play was nowhere near good enough.

As a result, the Packers fired Ron Zook and hired Shawn Mennenga to replace him as the special teams coordinator.

Missed field goals were a problem for both the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams in last week’s Super Bowl, but both teams punted well in a low-scoring game. The Rams’ Johnny Hekker punted nine times in the game, averaging an impressive 46.3 yards per punt with five punts landing inside the 20-yard line.

The Patriots’ Ryan Allen punted well, too, with three of his five landing inside the 20. He averaged 43 yards a punt.

When playing in close playoff games, strong special teams play can make a huge difference. The Packers need to make big improvements.

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