The Crucial Role of Special Teams: A Deep Dive into the Packers’ Struggles
In the world of the NFL, special teams often take a backseat to the more glamorous aspects of the game. However, as Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur poignantly pointed out, mistakes on special teams can be catastrophic. As the Packers find themselves in the heart of a playoff chase, their recent history of special teams blunders looms large.
A Critical Loss and Another Missed Opportunity
The latest incident to raise eyebrows was during a tightly contested game against the Chicago Bears on December 21, 2025. With just under two minutes left in regulation and the Packers leading 16-9, the possibility of a crucial win slipped through their fingers. The Packers needed to recover an onside kick—a routine play that turned disastrous when receiver Romeo Doubs let the ball bounce off his hands instead of securing it. The Bears promptly capitalized on this mistake, recovering the kick and eventually securing an overtime victory.
Running back Josh Jacobs characterized this moment as “the most important play of the game,” underscoring how pivotal special teams errors can alter a season’s trajectory.
A Pattern of Mistakes
This incident is just the latest in a series of special teams misfortunes for the Packers. Earlier in the season, there were multiple occasions where the special teams unit failed to execute crucial plays. In a tough 13-10 loss to the Browns, a potential game-winning field goal was blocked in the final minute. A week later, in a thrilling tie against the Cowboys, an extra point was not only blocked but returned for two points by Dallas.
Such blunders have not gone unnoticed. Despite LaFleur’s insistence that his overall special teams strategy is sound, the criticisms ring true. He acknowledged the “killer plays” that marked those games but defended his unit by highlighting their overall competitiveness and execution in coverage plays. Nonetheless, it’s clear that the plague of catastrophic errors has haunted the team.
The Weight of Special Teams Responsibility
Rich Bisaccia, the Packers’ special teams coordinator, is tasked with mitigating these issues. Hired in 2022, he is the third such coordinator during LaFleur’s tenure, reflecting an ongoing struggle within Green Bay’s special teams operations. Bisaccia’s reputation as one of the NFL’s highest-paid special teams coaches raises expectations for improved performance, yet the recurring issues suggest a deeper entrenched problem.
Bisaccia remarked that Doubs, who flubbed the recent onside kick, typically excels in these situations. “He’s been there for eight of our eleven onside kicks this season,” Bisaccia noted, emphasizing the rare nature of this miscue.
Special Teams Rankings and Historical Context
Despite having secured solid specialists—like kicker Brandon McManus and punter Daniel Whelan—the Packers find themselves ranked 21st in the league for special teams play per FTN’s DVOA metric. This glaring statistic starkly contrasts their fifth-ranked offense and 14th-ranked defense, revealing a significant imbalance in overall team performance.
The Packers’ history with special teams has seen its fair share of infamous moments, including a botched onside kick recovery during the 2014 NFC Championship Game and a blocked punt in the 2021 playoff matchup against the 49ers. These events have become part of the franchise’s lore, a cautionary tale of how special teams can influence postseason outcomes.
A Coach’s Perspective on Team Dynamics
Amidst the turmoil, LaFleur remains optimistic. He underscores that a single play doesn’t define a game but rather looks at the broader context of decisions made throughout the match. “We had a turnover in the red zone; we went 0-for-5 in the red zone,” he reflected, analyzing the multi-faceted nature of the loss against the Bears.
His refusal to fire coaches mid-season demonstrates a commitment to stability, despite mounting pressure to improve results. It’s clear that he values growth and correction over knee-jerk reactions.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Playoffs
With two critical regular-season games remaining, the Packers maintain a chance to secure a playoff berth, provided they can eradicate the special teams catastrophes that have plagued them. Safety Javon Bullard emphasizes the need for everyone to understand their roles: “Everybody got to just do their job.” This mantra reflects the necessity for focused execution as they approach the playoff hurdle.
In the high-stakes environment of professional football, the coming weeks will test the resilience of the Packers’ roster. The question remains: Can they overcome their special teams woes and seize the opportunity for postseason glory? The answer lies in their ability to confront the cataclysmic impacts of past mistakes and emerge stronger.