The Green Bay Packers have a long offseason ahead filled with tough decisions after falling in the NFC Divisional Round to the San Francisco 49ers, 13-10. It just won’t be difficult to pinpoint where they need to begin that process.
Simply put, special teams was a disaster for Green Bay on Saturday and arguably the biggest reason the Packers lost after earning a bye week and home field advantage. On a night when Aaron Rodgers—the likely NFL MVP—didn’t even throw for a touchdown, the lasting imagine of Green Bay’s season will be another special teams miscue.
No, for real.
As the 49ers set up for their game-winning Robbie Gould field goal, the Packers only had 10 men on the field. That’s one less than is permitted and an absolutely inexcusable mistake with the season on the line.
The NFL’s worst special teams unit turned in one of the worst special teams performances in NFL playoff history … and appears to have had only 10 men on the field for the winning field goal. pic.twitter.com/bJvPtHYXkQ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 23, 2022
Packers coach Matt LaFleur on having 10 players on the field for the final field-goal attempt: "That's unacceptable. That's on me."
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 23, 2022
ROBBIE GOULD SENDS THE #49ERS TO THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP! #FTTB ML (+190)✅💰#FTTB +5.5 (-112)✅💰
Under 47.5 (-115)✅💰
Odds via @tipico #Packers #GoPackGo #NFLPlayoffs
— BetFTW (@Bet_ForTheWin) January 23, 2022
It might not have changed the trajectory of the ball against one of the most clutch kickers alive, but the inability to get it together in a do-or-die situation is mind-blowing.
Now the Packers are heading into the offseason unsure if Rodgers will return, or if Davante Adams will re-sign or if they’ll be able to defend their NFC North title.
One thing is for sure: jobs will be lost on special teams due to Saturday’s epic failure.
