Three takeaways from Packers’ win vs. Bears in Week 1
3. JK Scott an unsung hero in win
While the focus will be placed on the defensive performance, and understandably so, we need to take a moment to applaud punter JK Scott. Special teams was a major issue for the Packers last season, but Scott was outstanding in Week 1.
In a low-scoring game, field position was key. And Scott repeatedly put the Bears behind the eight ball with some huge punts. And he wasn’t put in easy situations, either, including having to punt back in his own end zone.
Scott punted nine times, averaging an impressive 47.6 yards per punt with a long of 63 yards. Five of those punts set the Bears offense up inside their own 20-yard line. Chicago struggled to move the ball, and Scott ensured they didn’t have many short fields to work with.
And for that reason, Scott’s performance was every bit as important as some of the defensive stops. Had the Bears been set up in better field position, they could’ve quite easily scored more frequently. The Bears’ only points of the game came on a drive that they started on the Packers’ 36-yard line.
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The Packers used a draft pick on Scott for a reason. He put in an excellent performance on Thursday night.