The Green Bay Packers handily defeated the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday by the score of 34-13. Starting quarterback Jordan Love threw four touchdown passes in his second consecutive home game, becoming the first Packers quarterback to accomplish the feat since Brett Favre in 1995. Romeo Doubs, playing in his first game since Green Bay suspended him for conduct detrimental to the team, caught two of those touchdown passes.
Packers safety Xavier McKinney saw his streak of five consecutive games with an interception come to an end, but Green Bay’s defense forced three turnovers, all fumble recoveries. Indeed, the Packers new defense under Jeff Hafley has become the NFL’s premier turnover factory, leading the league with 17 takeaways.
Special teams, however, remains a major concern.
Green Bay Packers Kicker Brayden Narveson Missed Another Field Goal
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Green Bay’s decision to move on from future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the end of the 2022 NFL season was not the only substantial player personnel move that they made. Additionally, they allowed the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, Mason Crosby, to walk in free agency.
To replace Crosby, the Packers selected Anders Carlson in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, Carlson did not live up to the expectations the team had for him. He led the entire NFL in missed kicks in 2023 and had a woeful 87.5% extra point percentage.
As a result, Green Bay brought in Greg Joseph to compete with Carlson for the starting kicker job in training camp. While the former Minnesota Vikings kicker did make the initial 53-man roster, the Packers cut him a day after the roster was announced and claimed Brayden Narveson off of waivers.
Unfortunately, Narveson has not been good either. He currently leads the NFL in missed kicks and is last in field goal percentage.
He missed yet another field goal in Green Bay’s victory over Arizona on Sunday, leading many to wonder if the team would make a change.
On Monday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was asked if he was considering any changes at kicker due to Narveson’s struggles. LaFleur replied, “I wouldn’t say that right now, no.”
Fans, especially those that did not want to move on from Crosby in the first place, were not happy with his response:
Not having a reliable kicker potentially cost the Packers a trip to the NFC Championship this season. While the offense and defense continue to impress and rank among NFL leaders, the special teams unit is the team’s biggest and most obvious weakness.
Time will tell if it could cost them again.
