Packers

Pat O’Donnell named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

September 28, 2022 10:26 AM

Kyle Jones,

Posted: September 28, 2022 10:26 AM

by Kyle Jones

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers punter Pat O’Donnell pinned the Buccaneers deep in their own territory multiple times on Sunday. On Wednesday, he pinned the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award deep into his own trophy case.

O’Donnell punted seven times in Sunday’s win, averaging 48.4 yards per kick. That includes five punts downed behind the Buccaneer’s own 20-yard line, the most in a single game by a Packer punter since 1976.

NFC Players of the Week! (Week 3)@ceeflashpee84 | @brandongraham55 | @PatODonnell_16 pic.twitter.com/abiyTZZePo

— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2022

The Packers struggled immensely on special teams last season, leading to the firing of then special teams coach Maurice Drayton. Rich Bisaccia was brought in to right the ship, a move that has paid dividends so far. Through three games, opponents have only returned four punts for a total of 33 yards.

O’Donnell is the first Packers special teams player to win a Player of the Week award since kicker Mason Crosby won it in Week 3 of last season. That award was given after Crosby hit a game-winning 49-yard field goal in overtime against the Bengals.

One week after taking down Tom Brady, the Packers return to Lambeau Field to play Brady’s old team, the New England Patriots. Kickoff is at 3:25 p.m. CT and you can watch the game on WISC-TV.