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Rob Demovsky, ESPN Staff Writer
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Brandon McManus still has a few of things to work on: learning everyone’s name on the Green Bay Packers, how to do a Lambeau Leap and who invented the famous celebration should top his list.
The important stuff — like, for example, nailing a game-winning field goal as time expires just five days after joining a new team — he has down pat.
The 11th-year veteran, who had not kicked in a game since the end of last season before the Packers signed him on Wednesday, drilled a 45-yarder on his first official field goal with the team to give Green Bay a 24-22 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Such is the difference between a Super Bowl-winning kicker like McManus, who won one with the Denver Broncos, and a rookie like Brayden Narveson, who was released this past week after he missed five field goals in the first six games of the season.
“Obviously, he’s kicked in big-time moments, so he doesn’t get flustered,” Packers safety Xavier McKinney said. “And obviously this ain’t the Super Bowl, so it comes a lot easier for him and he doesn’t feel all that pressure and we was able to execute. So we love it.”
McManus was out of football after he was released by the Washington Commanders this offseason, before he ever kicked for them, in the wake of a lawsuit filed by two women — who were working as flight attendants on the chartered airline his former team the Jacksonville Jaguars used to fly to London in September 2023 — that accused him of sexual assault on the trip. The NFL on Sept. 30 issued its findings that McManus would not face disciplinary action. Lawyers for McManus and the women announced last week that the case had been “resolved.”
The Packers took over with 1:44 left in the game trailing 22-21. Jordan Love, who had an uneven day with three touchdowns and two interceptions, put together a masterful drive to get McManus a shot.
He made the first attempt at the game winner, only to have to it whistled dead because the Texans called a last-second timeout.
“I’ve always thought that I don’t know why teams call timeout so late to give you a practice kick,” McManus said. “But I was expecting it.”
On the second attempt, holder Daniel Whelan had to get his hands under a snap from Matt Orzech that was lower than expected.
“Way lower,” Orzech said. “Way, way lower. But Danny does a great job working with me and making me right when I’m not right. At the end of the day that specialists’ battery is about making each other right, and he did a heck of a job. I owe him dinner for that one.”
Said Packers coach Matt LaFleur of his first thought when he saw the snap: “I was like, ‘Uh-oh.’ But not only is he an outstanding punter but he’s a hell of a holder, as well. I can’t say enough great things about him. He definitely had a huge impact in the game today.”
LaFleur gave game balls to McManus and Whelan (along with one to defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, whose creative blitzes gave Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud issues all afternoon. Stroud threw for just 86 yards and was sacked four times).
McManus improved to 9-of-15 in his career on field goals on so-called clutch kicks, defined by ESPN Research as kicks in the last 2 minutes of regulation or in overtime to win or take the lead.
The ball had barely hit the net when McManus took off running toward the south end zone and a Lambeau Leap into the stands. He needed help from the fans in the front row to help him up.
“Green Bay’s a special team,” McManus said. “That’s why I decided to do the Lambeau Leap just because growing up watching Brett Favre play, and I think, was it Ryan Grant the one who started it?”
“Way lower. Way, way lower. But Danny does a great job working with me and making me right when I’m not right. At the end of the day that specialists’ battery is about making each other right, and he did a heck of a job. I owe him dinner for that one.”
Packers’ Matt Orzech on his low snap to Daniel Whelan on game-winning field goal
Actually, it was Hall of Fame safety LeRoy Butler who did the first Lambeau Leap.
“I definitely need to work on my hops,” McManus said. “I don’t practice jumping that much anymore.”
He had more important things to practice.
“Guys worked their butts off all week, practicing,” McManus said. “A lot of them still don’t know my name. Maybe today, they will. I’m doing my best to learn everyone’s names. Honored to be here and help the team win.”
McManus wasn’t sure what Sunday evening had in store. He had no friends or family in town.
“My dad thought about coming, but he decided not to,” he said. “I’ll hang out with some of the teammates and stuff. Is there any good food places to go?”
He probably wouldn’t have to buy wherever he went.
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