Green Bay Packers v. Chiefs: 3 Big Things from Jordan Love’s 1st Start
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers special teams unit has abysmal performance
Where do I even begin with this one? The Green Bay Packers special teams unit entered Sunday’s game ranked 31st by PFF ($$) and 27th by Football Outsiders. Yet somehow, they managed to play even worse.
Mason Crosby would miss two field goals, and on both attempts, Corey Bojorquez, for whatever reason, would fail to spin the laces away from Crosby–a very common practice among holders. However, that didn’t much matter on the second attempt because it was blocked! For much of the season, opposing teams have been very close to blocking several of Crosby’s field goal attempts.
So right there were six points left off the board. But, unfortunately, it gets worse.
In the second quarter, Amari Rodgers absolutely should have fielded a punt and called for a fair catch–but instead, he let it go, and it hits blocker Malik Taylor, which of course, is a fumble. Kansas City then takes over and kicks a field goal–so there are three more points lost by the special teams unit.
From there, Rodgers then fumbles a punt attempt of his own, but fortunately, Green Bay recovered. Rodgers has looked uncomfortable fielding punts since the preseason, and it has not improved–it’s time that the Packers make a change. On top of all of that, Taylor could not get a kick return past the 25-yard line.
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So if you’re not keeping tabs, at a minimum, that’s nine points that this Green Bay Packers special teams unit gave away. The Packers would lose 13-7.
Green Bay just cannot stop shooting themselves in the foot when it comes to special teams play, and the sad part is that it’s been that way for years now.