Lucas Havrisik stuns the league with back-to-back game balls and a record-breaking field goal that fans can’t stop talking about.QQ
Havrisik’s performance has been nothing short of flawless. In his two games, he is:
- 6-of-6 on extra points.
- 4-of-4 on field goals.
- 2-of-2 on game balls, awarded by head coach Matt LaFleur for his outstanding contributions.
The 61-yard field goal, described by Havrisik as a “straight, pure ball,” came with just 7 seconds left in the first half. After a touchback on the kickoff and a 22-yard pass from quarterback Jordan Love to Romeo Doubs, LaFleur’s aggressive play-calling set up Havrisik for the historic kick. “I’m telling you, the adrenaline was so up and I was trying to calm myself,” Havrisik said post-game. “Matt (Orzech) and Dan(iel Whelan), shouts to them, because they make my job easy.”
Havrisik’s journey to this moment has been one of resilience. Signed by the Packers just last Saturday after Brandon McManus suffered a quad injury, Havrisik had little time to prepare. Against the Bengals in his debut, he was informed he would kick only after McManus’ pregame workout. Yet, he went 5-for-5, including a game-clinching field goal. This week, with McManus still sidelined, Havrisik delivered again, with the 61-yarder stealing the spotlight.
LaFleur praised Havrisik’s clutch performance: “He’s answered every challenge that’s been put in front of him. We don’t win that game without his ability to go out there and make his all tries, his attempts.” Love echoed the sentiment, noting the strategic importance of the kick: “Those three points came back to be so beneficial in this game. That was a huge way to end the half.”
Before Havrisik’s record-setting kick, Mason Crosby held the seven longest field goals in Packers history, topped by a 58-yarder in 2011. Havrisik’s 61-yard bomb not only surpassed Crosby’s mark but also showcased his potential as a reliable kicker. “It was so fast. Everything happened so fast,” Havrisik said. “I saw we had 7 seconds and a timeout, so I got a kick in on the net and I was like we got to be ready just in case.”
Havrisik’s time with the Packers is temporary, as McManus, who signed a three-year contract after finishing second in the NFL in field-goal percentage last year, is expected to return once healthy. However, Havrisik’s perfect 10-for-10 start has opened doors for his career. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I had so much perseverance and resiliency. Praise the lord, it’s been a journey, for sure.”
His prior NFL experience came with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, where he made 15-of-20 field goals and 19-of-22 extra points across nine games. Admitting to past struggles, including misses at Lambeau Field and against the Cardinals, Havrisik has focused on the mental side of kicking. “Kickers hate misses,” he said. “Really dived deep into the mental game of just handling everything and the stress and pressure. It’s pretty much, ‘All right, kick it down the middle.’”
McManus, despite being inactive, offered Havrisik succinct advice before his debut: “Have a great game. And go make yourself some money.” Havrisik has done just that, seizing this opportunity to prove his worth. His “redemption tour” has seen him overcome past misses at both Lambeau and Arizona, turning those venues into stages for his triumph.
As the Packers move forward, Havrisik’s record-setting performance and perfect kicking stats have not only earned him game balls but also the respect of his teammates and coaches. Whether he remains a temporary solution or carves out a longer-term role, Havrisik has shown he belongs in the NFL.
