It’s a small sample size, but the Green Bay Packers’ added emphasis on the special teams unit this year has paid off so far. However, this phase of the game is really going to be tested on Sunday against Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.
The Packers’ 2021 season ended in abysmal fashion, in large part because of the play of the special teams unit. Green Bay would, again, rank last in special teams play last season, which, unfortunately, has been a relatively common occurrence over the last decade-plus.
This offseason, the Packers took a new approach, with a much-needed emphasis on special teams. This began my hiring Rich Bisaccia, going “out of character” by making a few special teams-specific additions in free agency while also utilizing starters on teams. Overall, special teams are being prioritized much differently than in the past.
Through three games, we’ve seen the positive results of this, with the Packers’ special teams unit ranking 14th by DVOA. Green Bay’s special teams unit also played a key role in the team’s win in Tampa Bay, with punter Pat O’Donnell, along with fliers Keisean Nixon and Rudy Ford, pinning the Bucs inside their own 15-yard line on five different occasions. In a game where field position was crucial, the Packers punt coverage unit didn’t let it flip.
This week, however, the Packers revamped special teams unit will face its toughest challenge going up against Belichick, Joe Judge, and the Patriots special teams unit.
“There’s exotic looks and punt rushes, everywhere from 9 to 10 to 11 man rushes that we’ve got to prepare for that he’s (Belichick) done to everyone in the league,” said Bisaccia on Thursday via Packers.com. “He’s got a long-time kicker (Nick Folk) that’s got great experience, he’s playing well, and the punter (Jake Bailey) has been playing well for him.”
“The return guy (Myles Bryant) is quick,” Bisaccia would later add, “he’s fearless back there, he’s got great speed, he can go the distance. This is obviously a big game for us special teams-wise, playing here at home with him (Belichick) and his staff. They’re extremely well coached, they’re extremely physical, fast, and give you a lot to prepare for.”
Overall, PFF has the Patriots special teams group as the sixth-best unit in the NFL this season. However, that doesn’t mean they haven’t had any issues either. In fact, by DVOA, the Patriots’ special teams unit ranks 26th.
On punts, New England has only allowed three returns, but that includes a 43-yarder to Devin Duvernay last Sunday, with punter Jake Bailey now ranking last in net punt yardage. Punt returner Myles Bryant ranks 25th in average yards per return and has a muffed punt this season.
On the flip side, kick returner Pierre Strong ranks 10th in average yards per return, while Nick Folk continues to be a steady presence at kicker. New England also has 10-time Pro Bowler Matthew Slater as a key member of their teams unit.
This Patriots special teams unit hasn’t been as buttoned-up as we are accustomed to seeing, but as is the case when facing a Bill Belichick team, the greatest challenge comes from the unknown–not to mention the team’s preparedness and ability to exploit weak points. As Bisaccia alluded to, this Packers special teams unit, which is still learning a new system and has been very mistake prone in the past, will have to be prepared for anything on Sunday.
The Packers may be nearly double-digit favorites against New England, but as we’ve seen in the not-so-distant past, miscues on special teams are how opponents have been able to hang around.
