The Green Bay Packers won their third game in a row, defeating the Houston Texans 24-22 on Sunday afternoon on an unusually warm October day at Lambeau Field. It was a back-and-forth affair all game long, featuring six lead changes, the final one coming in the closing seconds of regulation.
After Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, who finished the day 10/21 for 86 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions, marched Houston down the field for a go-ahead field goal, Packers quarterback Jordan Love put together his fourth career game-winning drive. Love, by the way, finished his day 24/33 for 220 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
With less than two minutes left, Love got the Packers in field goal range. An amazing catch by Romeo Doubs, who had eight receptions for 94 yards, got Green Bay close enough to attempt a 45-yard field goal with three seconds remaining in the game.
The game, literally, was put in the hands (or right foot) of their new kicker, Brandon McManus.
Green Bay Packers Kicker Brandon McManus Drilled the Game-Winning Field Goal
Just days ago, the Packers released their kicker, rookie Brayden Narveson, after he could not find the consistency the team needed to win games. To replace him, they signed McManus, who had been released by the Washington Commanders earlier this year due to allegations brought against him from his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.
The NFL, though, cleared him of any wrongdoing and his lawyer told reporters that the suit against McManus had been resolved.
The decision paid off immediately. Trailing 22-21 with three seconds to play, McManus kicked the game-winning field goal from 45 yards out.
He celebrated by doing a Lambeau Leap:
In Brandon McManus’ debut as kicker, he drills a 45-yard field goal to give the #Packers a 24-22 win over the Houston Texans.
He threw off his helmet and did a Lambeau Leap. pic.twitter.com/OUvDDPjL5m
— Dominique Yates (@RealDYates) October 20, 2024
After the game, McManus told reporters that he was very comfortable kicking from 45 yards out, especially going towards the south end zone. Apparently, he made a kick going in that direction from 65 yards out during warmups.
New Green Bay Packers Kicker Brandon McManus Hopes Everyone on the Team Knows His Name Now
When talking to reporters after the game, McManus said that he felt that a Lambeau Leap was the best way to celebrate his game-winning kick in his very first game with the franchise due to the organization’s rich history.
He also revealed that everyone on the team and coaching staff have been so welcoming to him, even the ones who didn’t know his name:
Brandon McManus on his Lambeau Leap: “What a tradition and a franchise this is” pic.twitter.com/HrsD3zznVT
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) October 20, 2024
“I thought that would be cool to do that, but I definitely got to work on my hops. I don’t practice jumping much anymore.
“Like I said, these guys work their butts off all week practicing. Many of them still don’t know my name, but maybe after today they will.”
They sure will! After the game, head coach Matt LaFleur gave McManus one of the three game balls. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and punter Daniel Whelan got the other two.
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