It was only a matter of time until the Packers’ special teams unit cost them a game and that bite came yesterday in Orchard Park. The 21-13 loss, with Shawn Slocum’s not so special special teams to blame, likely cost the Packers a chance at the No.1 seed in the playoffs.
This weeks edition of special teams follies includes giving up a punt return for a touchdown and having yet another blocked field goal attempt. And I don’t want to hear that it was a low kick because it was a 53-yarder. Everybody knows that. On a long kick like that it all the more important not to allow any penetration at all but the Packers couldn’t do it.
The seven points given up and the three not scored were the difference on a day when the Packers offense struggled mightely. It also helped spoil a great performance by the Packers’ defense, which didn’t allow a touchdown in giving up only four field goals. While Aaron Rodgers had his worst day as a pro, the 13 points the offense scored should have been enough for the victory.
Sometimes I feel like I’m beating a dead horse but facts are facts. Head coach Mike McCarthy is loyal to a fault and it cost him big time yesterday. With that said, it’s on to Tampa Bay where the Packers have never won under McCarthy.
One might think the Packers should roll over the Bucs but remember what happened the last time the Packers played in Tampa. The Packers lost to the 0-7 Bucs quarterbacked by Josh Freeman, making his first NFL start. That loss, however, turned the Packers’ season around and they only lost one more time in the regular season before losing to the Arizona Cardinals in an all-time classic playoff game. But I digress.
In the Packers favor is the fact that they have not even clinched a playoff spot yet so they should not be looking ahead to Detroit, or anything else for that matter. Even a win next week doesn’t guarantee a spot in the dance without some help. The bottom line is, if the Packers are to get where they want to go, yesterday must be the season’s last loss.