The special teams of the Green Bay Packers imploded during the first half on Sunday night against the Chicago Bears.
How bad was it? Check out this incredible list of blunders from Maurice Drayton’s group during the first 30 minutes of play:
– 97-yard punt return for a touchdown allowed
– Kickoff return muffed out of bounds at 5-yard line by Malik Taylor
– Kickoff out of bounds by Mason Crosby
– 34-yard punt return allowed
– 42-yard kickoff return allowed
– 40-yard kickoff return allowed
Most teams don’t have this many notable errors in half a season or more of special teams play.
Overall, the Bears produced 213 return yards in the first half. Jakeem Grant’s punt return for a touchdown was the first in the NFL this season, and tied for the 10th longest return in NFL history.
The 27 points allowed by the Packers were helped along greatly by the special teams. The Bears scored seven points off special teams and started four scoring drives at their own 40-yard line or better. Field position was a huge positive for Matt Nagy’s team.
Can Drayton’s special teams rebound in the second half? His job might depend on it.
