Dating back to last season, the Green Bay Packers have failed to score a goal in seven consecutive games and 12 of their last 14 games overall, including the postseason.
Through two games, rookie Brayden Narveson has picked up where Anders Carlson left off. In two consecutive games since arriving in Green Bay, Narveson has missed a kick of 40 to 50 yards — including a 45-yarder in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
Narveson, an undrafted rookie out of North Carolina State, is one of seven kickers who are below 80 percent in the field and one of three kickers who have missed multiple field goals in the first two weeks. He has made six field goals, good for sixth overall, but missed shots — and points — are often as critical to kickers as made ones.
Coach Matt LaFleur admitted the decision was largely out of his hands, but said he wanted to be patient with Narveson.
“I would say, from my perspective, he’s pretty patient,” LaFleur said Monday. “I like his mentality, I like his talent. There’s going to be some ups and downs. Hopefully there’s more ups than downs. I think he’s done a pretty good job. He’s got to score that field goal, he knows that, we all know that, but I’m sure if he gets in that situation again, he’ll score it.”
Narveson hit his first three field goals of Week 1 in Brazil, but then missed a 43-yarder in the second half. The same scenario played out Sunday, when Narveson caught from 46 yards, 42 yards and 34 yards before pushing a 45-yarder wide right on an 11-play drive with 4:10 left.
Carlson, who lost the kicking battle this summer, got a full season and a full second offseason in Green Bay before the Packers made the move. Barring a major breakdown, Narveson should get the same leash in Green Bay. What’s the biggest concern? The Packers are projecting themselves as Super Bowl contenders in 2024, and with very petite margins among the top teams, Green Bay can’t afford to have an inconsistent kicking game. It killed them in San Francisco in January. Narveson needs to settle down as he gains experience in his first year.
