3 Packers whose future depends on outcome of divisional round game vs. 49ers

Rich Bisaccia

Joe Barry has received his share of criticism this season, but Green Bay's special teams may be the most disappointing unit. Special teams cost the Packers the last time they met the 49ers in the playoffs.

It led to the Packers making Rich Bisaccia the highest-paid special teams coordinator in the league. Brian Gutekunst backed him by prioritizing special teams contributors in free agency and late in the draft.

Two years after a blocked punt led to the Packers' postseason downfall, their special teams aren't much better. Green Bay finished 29th in Rick Gosselin's annual special teams rankings.

The Packers took some positives away from their special teams performance last week. Daniel Whelan pinned the Cowboys inside their 10-yard line on all three of his punts. However, Anders Carlson missed a PAT, and the Packers allowed a 47-yard kick return, leading to a Cowboys touchdown before halftime.

Bisaccia's unit has fallen well short of expectations. He was supposed to turn Green Bay's special teams from the league's worst into one of the best. The Packers added core special teams players to the roster to make it happen, but the results haven't been there this season.

Hopefully, it won't cost Green Bay another playoff game against San Francisco.

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