Special Teams Was Finally the Hero Against Chicago

Usually, when you're talking about the Green Bay Packers special teams unit, it's because they did something bad.

How joyous it is to write about special teams because they were not only competent but also saviors against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

In addition to doing the little things right all game, the we-fence got to be the heroes of the game by blocking a potential game-winning field goal as time expired. When it looked like Chicago would squeak out a victory over their rivals, Bowling Green legend Karl Brooks said, No.

As (fairly) maligned as the Packers special teams unit has been, they've been quietly competent the past few weeks. Climbing to the 24th-ranked unit by DVOA after Sunday, Rich Bisaccia's group is quietly on the rise. With their biggest issue, kicker, seemingly solved, could the unit emerge as a somewhat reliable, middle-of-the-league group? That might not sound like a lot, but that's a rare delicacy in Green Bay.

Bisaccia's group was oozing confidence after blocking Cairo Santos' kick, to the point that Bisaccia said he'd be disappointed if the group didn't have a blocked kick in that game.

Kenny Clark said after the game that he expected either Brooks or T.J. Slaton to block a kick during the game after Bisaccia identified flaws in Chicago’s kicking operation on tape earlier in the week.

Matt LaFleur confirmed this in his post-game press conference. “Rich said to our team last night, ‘I will not understand if we come out of this game without a block, whether field goal or PAT.’”

Bisaccia has gotten a lot of flack as the league's highest-paid special teams coordinator. However, his knowledge and ability to inspire his team came through when it mattered, turning a likely loss into a victory.

"Rich challenged us to get a block, so I took it personally," Brooks said. "I wanted to go out there and get that block. I wanted to do that for Coach Rich."

That wasn't the only good thing special teams did, although it was the highlight of the day.

Daniel Whelan was dealin' as usual with an early punt that pinned Chicago in their own five-yard line. Jayden Reed had a nice 16-yard punt return that set up a lead-taking TD drive. Brandon McManus made both extra points (not always a guarantee for Green Bay). It was a solid day for the group, even before factoring in the game-winning play.

I would prefer a higher DVOA-ranked unit (first, perhaps?). Still, special teams is trending in the right direction as we head into the back half of the season. While the offense still works out its issues and the defense had one of its worst games of the year, it was nice finally seeing the veteran coordinator carry the team.

The unit isn't nearly as bad as the ranking might seem.

Having the league's worst kicker for six weeks did irreparable damage to the group's rankings. As much as Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur wanted to be patient with Brayden Narveson, the rookie kicker was detrimental to the team. He wasn't the only issue with teams to start the season. However, the kicker is the face of a special teams unit, and Narveson's league-worst field goal percentage tanked their early rankings.

Brandon McManus started his Green Bay tenure strong, with two game-winning field goals in a row. Since joining the Packers, he's missed only one field goal, adding a reliable veteran presence to the volatile spot.

The Packers have one of the league's best punters in Whelan. He can pinning opponents deep when it matters and is one of the team's MVPs.

Compared to last season, the unit feels much more disciplined. While they take some bad penalties, the unit isn't a flag fest like the 2023 group.

The Packers probably won't win any All-Pro returner awards this season, but after a rough start from both Keisean Nixon and Jayden Reed, they've been steadily reliable the past few weeks.

Really, in the past month or so, the unit hasn't had many truly baffling issues. Again, that should be the expectation, not something to laud, but this is special teams in Green Bay. After years of Looney Toons-esque blunders costing the Packers in big moments, it's nice to see that they might be settling into a league-average placement. With a fifth-ranked offense and a defense quickly outshining the previous regime, even if last week's performance was tough to watch, you can win a Super Bowl with an average teams unit.

There is still almost half a season left, and I'm sure there are still some forbidden ways special teams can find to lose a game. But for now, let's bathe in the waters of a special teams-led victory and enjoy that Green Bay's special teams might finally be trending in the right direction.