Don’t Let Parsons’ Big Game Overshadow Another Packers Hero

Do you want to know why football can be such a beautiful game? Look no further than the Green Bay Packers’ kicker situation.

Brandon McManus has been incredible for the Packers since coming over last season, but a quad injury has sidelined him for the last two games. In stepped Lucas Havrisik, a 26-year-old who was contemplating becoming a substitute teacher earlier this year.

If not for Havrisik’s right leg, Sunday's game may have gone the other direction.

The Arizona Cardinals delivered a right hook to Green Bay just before halftime when Jacoby Brissett orchestrated a nine-play, 71-yard drive in just under three minutes that ended in a touchdown pass to tight end Trey McBride. The Cardinals took a 13-3 lead with just seven seconds left in the half.

Arizona decided to send the ensuing kickoff through the end zone instead of engaging in a potential disaster if the Packers were to bust free on a long return. Instead of taking a knee, head coach Matt LaFleur put his foot on the gas, and Jordan Love connected with Romeo Doubs to set up a 61-yard field-goal attempt from Havrisik.

It's not crazy to try a 61-yarder in an era where kickers are making 50-yard attempts look routine. However, the list of kickers who have connected from 60 or more yards this year is rather small; there are only four names on it. None of those kickers, outside of the Dallas Cowboys’ Brandon Aubrey (who must have a robotic leg at this point), has made more than one from 60 or more yards.

Given the circumstances, LaFleur figured, Why not? and sent Havrisik out.

With one swing of the right leg, Havrisik connected on a franchise-record 61-yarder. More importantly, in the context of the game, the spectacular kick drained some of the momentum the Cardinals were set to carry into halftime.

The Packers would no longer be going into the locker room down two scores. A 13-3 affair became 13-6 as the would-be substitute teacher continued his brilliance since arriving in Green Bay two weeks ago. Havrisik had already booted one through the uprights earlier in the game to put Green Bay on the board. And last week, he went two for two against the Cincinnati Bengals, with the second one putting the game out of reach.

Sunday's game could've looked a lot different if that 61-yard kick had failed to split the uprights. It would ultimately be the difference between the Cardinals needing a touchdown rather than a field goal to win on their final drive.

In 2023, at the stadium that the Cardinals call home, Havrisik missed an extra point and a 50-yard attempt as the Los Angeles Rams' kicker, something that was on his mind entering this affair.

Despite looking cool as a cucumber on the 61-yard attempt that he connected on, Havrisik told reporters after the game that he did not have a good pregame.

Havrisik received one of three game balls that LaFleur handed out. Of course, Micah Parsons received one of the other game balls for his three-sack performance. When people look back on last Sunday, it will most likely be remembered as The Parsons Game.

But don't forget about Havrisik.

For a position that can go from great to pure chaos in an instant, Havrisik has been nails for the Packers while they await McManus’ return. Some have even wondered if Havrisik should remain the team’s kicker, but they will likely release him. However, these last two weeks have been quite the audition for any given team in need of a kicker who can kick a 61-yarder.