GREEN BAY -- It was an eventful week for kicker Lucas Havrisik but it ended with a big kick as a member of the Green Bay Packers.
Havrisik's first attempt on Sunday came in the second quarter when he knocked through a 43-yard field goal to give the Packers a 3-0 lead. Over the next roughly 36 minutes of game time, Havrisik also knocked in three extra points.
His biggest kick of the game, however, came late in the fourth quarter with under two minutes remaining in a close contest.
Packers running back's theory proves true in win over Bengals
"You just hold your breath," coach Matt LaFleur said after the game. "I mean, we all know the issues we've had up front, too, in those situations. And that's where my focus was, it was more on just the protection."
People are also reading... Arcade opens in Onalaska; two businesses to move into former auto parts store - Steve Cahalan 5 high school boys stars of the week: Oct. 7 edition Fitness businesses take over La Crosse auto parts store Viroqua Area Schools considers sports conference realignment Week 8 high school football scores Midwest mayor kicks ICE agents off of city property Every service and staff cut anticipated for La Crosse's 2026 budget North Side set to take largest cuts to services in proposed La Crosse budget How former Badger, UW-La Crosse players helped improve Holmen football linebacker duo Hacienda restaurant opens; Chipotle planned on Mormon Coulee Road - Steve Cahalan Man arrested for arson in Oct. 1 Shelby mobile home fire La Crosse police investigating South Side shooting, no injuries reported Senior delivers 'on fumes' in fourth to secure Aquinas' win over West Salem Five Jamaican nationals wanted for scamming $450K from elderly La Crosse couple Breath test error jeopardizes dozens of Winona County drunken driving cases
With the Packers up 6, a miss by Havrisik would have given the Bengals the ball back near midfield and with the opportunity to win the game with a touchdown. But as he had done on his previous attempts, Havrisik knocked the 39-yard attempt through the uprights.
"You've got to discipline your mind to treat every kick the same," Havrisik said. "So whether it's a PAT or a 66-yarder - whatever it may be - obviously your emotions and adrenaline change, but you try to get back to a neutral spot and just treat every kick the same."
Adding to the challenging situation that Havrisik found himself in was that he also had to navigate the swirling winds of Lambeau Field on the fly.
"It's very impressive," long-snapper Matt Orzech said. "The wind conditions were brutal out there. They were really difficult, so to come in here and your first day hitting live (operations) with two guys and he's just nails all day is pretty impressive."
"I don't even know his name," added Josh Jacobs. "I feel bad saying that, but he came in and made some big-time kicks for us. So, man, he got the game ball. He deserved it."
Havrisik was kicking for the Packers in this game because of a right quad injury that Brandon McManus suffered during Wednesday's practice.
During the week, McManus was confident in his ability to play in this game, having worked through a similar injury and timeline in 2022.
About two hours before kickoff, McManus was on the field going through his usual pregame routine, warming up and progressively working his way back to longer field goal attempts, including from 50-plus yards.
Afterward, he huddled with special teams coach Rich Bisaccia, general manager Brian Gutekunst and Packers trainers to discuss how he was feeling. As LaFleur recalled, McManus said he could go, but added that he "felt something" as well.
"They thought they just wanted to play it smart and safe," said McManus of the decision. "It's early in the season and they didn't want to make it more than a one-week type deal. We went out, kind of did that warmup and collectively that was the decision made."
With McManus not practicing on the Thursday leading up to this week's game and then being limited on Friday but not kicking, the Packers brought in some kicker insurance, with Havrisik and Greg Joseph coming in for workouts on Friday.
The numbers behind the Brewers' series win against Chicago
This was Havrisik's third workout of the week, having also visited Indianapolis and New York. As a free agent, Havrisik spends his days working out and trying to stay ready for his next potential opportunity.
However, there's only so much kicking and waiting that can be done day after day. So prior to the workouts he had this week, Havrisik was contemplating his career in and out of football.
"I was trying to get a part-time job just because it's super boring to not work, so boring," Havrisik said. "I've done substitute teaching in the past and coaching. I moved to Cleveland recently, and I was like, 'I've got to get outside, do something. I can't sit down all day. Very happy to be here and play some football.'"
Green Bay signed Havrisik to the 53-man roster Saturday. But even at that time, so close to kickoff, Havrisik didn't know if he'd actually be kicking or not.
Polzin: Win over Bengals left Packers with 'relief' and some lingering concerns
That moment didn't come until the Packers ruled McManus out a few hours before the game.
"They told me to treat it as if I was playing," Havrisik said. "I did my best job to think I was playing and really not thinking of anything else. I'm not so sure what time they told me because I had my mind set that I was going to play. I just went with the flow and treated it as a regular game."
Although this was certainly an unusual situation for Havrisik, there was some familiarity for him in joining this Packers' team, specifically within the field goal operation.
Havrisik trained with punter Daniel Whelan and long-snapper Matt Orzech under kicking coaches John Carney and Dan Orner in the offseason.
But the connection extends beyond the football field. Orzech's father and Havrisik's mother had worked together at Citi National Bank in California a number of years ago. Havrisik's brother was also a linebacker at Azusa Pacific during the same time that Orzech played there.
"So the first time I actually met him was when we played against him when he was in L.A. and i was aware of just kind of the crossover," Orzech said. "So (I) said hello and kicked with him before in the offseason at Dan Orner's in Carolina. It's one of those weird connections. The NFL; tiny world."
Kicking field goals and extra points isn't only about getting the ball through the uprights -- that's the end result. To get to that point, there's an entire operation that has to unfold correctly beforehand.
Offense gets the best marks in Packers' win over Bengals
There is the snap, the protection, and the hold. The hold, in particular, can vary from kicker to kicker. Depending on the wind, where the kick is being made from, and other factors, the kicker's preferences can dictate how he wants the ball positioned in certain situations.
So, in the limited time that was available, Orzech, Whelan and Havrisik had a crash course over a 24-hour period with their new-look field goal operation.
"It's kinda just getting familiar with each other's rhythm and timing, how he likes things," Orzech said. "Like for Danny especially, the holds, the leans and on a day like today it's the wind that's a big factor.
Polzin: Packers talking points from Green Bay's victory over Cincinnati
"So we went through some operations Saturday at the team walkthrough and just so he could get eyes on it, feel comfortable, feel confident in it and working it pregame, kind of same old routine that we do with Brandon."
Those past ties between Havrisik, Orzech and Whelan helped the trio acclimate quickly to this unusual situation.
"I think the specialist community, 'cause we've worked together in the offseason, he's worked with Danny before in California, so I think the general sense of familiarity really helps because we've done this before together, so it's same old, same old," Orzech added.
Despite Havrisik's performance for Green Bay, what's next for him is unknown. At this moment, he is a Packer, but that is only temporary until McManus is a full-go.
Given his performance in Sunday's game, perhaps some opportunities elsewhere around the NFL could arise. Or some Cleveland-area students could have a substitute teacher who just helped the Packers secure a win.
"Just staying ready," Havrisik said. "It's hard to get in with only 32 jobs. Just try to stay ready and do my thing."
Photos: Packers host Bengals after bye week Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Locations Madison Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter
Sent weekly directly to your inbox!
Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.