Rob Demovsky, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

The Film Don't Lie: Packers

A weekly look at what the Green Bay Packers must fix:

It's not that the Packers' punt return game has been ineffective -- actually it's been more than respectable at 10th in the NFL in average yards per return (9.6) -- but as good as their returners have been, they probably should have broken one for a touchdown by now.

They had at least one good chance in Sunday's 38-17 win over the Carolina Panthers. Randall Cobb matched the team's season best with a 24-yard return in the second quarter, but according to special-teams coach Shawn Slocum, the blocking was not good enough to spring Cobb all the way. It will have to be much better this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints have allowed an average of just 3.6 yards per punt return this season. That's the second-best mark in the league.

"[We're] not close enough [to breaking a long return]," Slocum said. "We need to get that done. I look at those plays, they're good plays, but we could have gotten a lot more."

How?

"Just finishing blocks a little better," Slocum said.

The Packers have returned one punt for a touchdown in each of the past three seasons. Cobb had one in each of the 2011 and 2012 seasons, while safety Micah Hyde pulled one off last season.

The Packers remain committed to splitting the return duties between Cobb and Hyde. Each has a long punt return of 24 yards this season. Cobb's average (10.75 yards per return) is slightly better than Hyde's mark of 9.8.

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