Packers wild win over Bears: The good, bad and grades

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 12: Jakeem Grant #17 of the Chicago Bears carries the football en route to scoring on a 46-yard touchdown reception against Rasul Douglas #29 of the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter of the NFL game at Lambeau Field on December 12, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Packers wild win over Bears: The bad: Special teams, special teams, and special teams. Oh, and injuries.

Puke.

The (un)special teams was at their worst in the first half against the Bears when they made mistake after mistake after mistake. Just to recap, here’s a list of their first-half special teams mistakes:

Tried to field kickoff clearly headed out of bounds, gave offense ball at own 5-yard-line
Kickoff out of bounds
34-yard punt return allowed
42-yard kickoff return allowed
97-yard punt return touchdown allowed
40-yard kickoff return allowed

They were a bit better in the second half (Amari Rodgers was saved by a phantom flag when he muffed another punt that was swiftly recovered by the Bears), but you can’t have even one of those errors in a tight playoff game nonetheless six of them in a dang half. Matt LaFleur said special teams’ coordinator Maurice Drayton’s job is safe, but what’s the worst a change could happen at this point in the season?

I should also mention injuries. The Packers continue to get bit by the injury bug, as they lost a few more guys to injuries in this contest. The most notable, and probably serious, is Billy Turner. A guy rolled up on his left leg and he was ruled out for the game very shortly after. It looks like it could be another season-ender for the big guys upfront. What a brutal way to (possibly) end a Pro-Bowl caliber season for Turner.

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