Matt LaFleur addresses Packers costly special teams blunder

After the Green Bay Packers lost to the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night, coach Matt LaFleur addressed their costly special teams mistake on the game’s final play. The Packers lost on a game-winning field goal by the 49ers, and on the final play they only had ten players on the field.

Matt LaFleur takes ownership of special teams mistake

“That can’t happen,” stated LaFleur when asked about the Packers only having ten men on the field for the final play. “It’s unacceptable. And, again, that’s on me.”

The Packers’ special teams unit was the subject of criticism for most of the regular season and their issues became much more apparent as their playoff run ended after just one game. The Packers’ defense held San Francisco to just three points for the game until the final field goal. Despite their efforts, San Francisco managed one touchdown in the fourth quarter to tie the game on a blocked Green Bay punt.

The blocked punt was the second blocked kick of the game after a Packers’ field goal was blocked to end the first half.

“The NFL’s worst special teams unit turned in one of the worst special teams performances in NFL playoff history,” criticized NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero after the game.

The Packers’ current special teams coach, Maurice Drayton, will be the likely target for much of the criticism after their season’s end. As the Packers suddenly shift to preparing for their next season, it will be worth watching if they believe it’s time to rebuild or restructure anything.

With Rodgers potentially having played his final season with the team, his decision will likely kick off a domino effect for the Packers. Aside from the disappointing finish, this Packers season has been a major success by most metrics as they won throughout the regular season despite injuries. They were forced to enter the playoffs with tackle David Bakhtiari incredibly close to a return, and with talent like Marquez Valdes-Scantling injured.