Packers make meaningful adjustment to finally address the obvious issue that’s been holding them back
Unit has performed much better now.
The Green Bay Packers are now 3-1-1 in the regular season, and both the tie with the Dallas Cowboys and the loss to the Cleveland Browns had killing mistakes from the field goal protection unit. A blocked would-be game-winning field goal in Cleveland, and a blocked extra point returned for a two-point conversion in Dallas were key to the unexpected results.
But the kicking operation was perfect on Sunday, during the 27-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Even with a new kicker in Lucas Havrisik, since Brandon McManus was handling a quad injury, the team converted three extra points and two field goals — including a game-sealing 39-yarder late in the fourth quarter.
Real resources to solve the kicking problem
The problem for the Packers was structural. Ideally, the team would want its key starters playing only on offense and defense, with the bottom of the roster performing on special teams. Theoretically, it makes sense, at least until the approach is costing you games. On Sunday, head coach Matt LaFleur greenlighted special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia to put the starters out there in field goal protection.
“Yeah, it’s a point-producing play, and so it’s whatever it takes, especially in those critical moments,” LaFleur revealed. “You’ve got to get your best out there.”
And the Packers actually did it. For both field goal attempts, Green Bay had its five starting offensive linemen on the field, plus the top two backups. The protection unit had Karl Brooks, Rasheed Walker, Jordan Morgan, Sean Rhyan, Matthew Orzech, Aaron Banks, Darian Kinnard, Elgton Jenkins, and Zach Tom.
LaFleur was obviously concerned when Havrisik went to the field to make a decisive kick. However, protection was just as worrisome for the head coach as putting a replacement kicker out there.
“You’re just holding your breath,” LaFleur admitted. “We all know the issues we’ve had up front in those situations. That’s where my focus was. It was more on protection, which I thought our guys did an outstanding job. All game long, I thought the protection was much, much improved. Those guys took it personally. I know Rich [Bissacia] did as well. But everybody stepped up and did their job.”
Blocked field goals have been a trend around the league this year. The Packers are taking it more seriously now, even if that means putting their best players to do a job that it’s not perceived as high-profile.
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