Green Bay enters the bye at 2-1-1 after two uneven performances. Three surprises anchor the surge: Romeo Doubs has become Love’s top target, totaling 179 yards and four TDs on 13 catches with a 137.9 passer rating when targeted. Lukas Van Ness has finally unlocked his pass-rush potential, posting 13 pressures with a 16.7% win rate. Jordan Love has lifted his timing and efficiency, producing big-number stats behind a banged-up line.

Three disappointments surface: Edgerrin Cooper’s tackling has spiked, Rasheed Walker has absorbed consistent pressure (13 allowed, 10.3% of snaps), and Elgton Jenkins is still finding his footing at center after a long guard stint. The bye week offers a chance to stabilize protection, keep Love on schedule, and push Green Bay back toward NFC contention.

The Green Bay field-goal protection saga hinges on personnel decisions, not just coaching. The piece argues Matt LaFleur’s control over kicking-unit selections has undercut Rich Bisaccia, from Keisean Nixon’s underutilization to the Week 4 block that exposed a shallow protection group built around backup linemen and cast players. By Week 4, protections were improvised; the remedy was late and costly. The call is simple: deploy the best players on kicking plays every snap.

With Kraft, Jenkins, and Brooks finally getting involved, and Nixon returning to the spotlight, Green Bay must commit to a stable, elite protection unit and unrestricted return duties if it wants to win the hidden game of field position. The critique centers on missed opportunities and a wake-up call for LaFleur: empower Bisaccia and the top-tier kickers and blockers now, or endure repeat miscues that cost games and perhaps the season.

Green Bay activates Lecitus Smith from the practice squad for Sunday Night against Dallas as Week 4 injuries thin the offensive line. With Zach Tom, Anthony Belton, and likely Aaron Banks out or doubtful, the Packers may run with seven healthy blockers and lean on Smith as an eighth lineman. The projected starting five is Rasheed Walker, Jordan Morgan, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan, Darian Kinnard, while Donovan Jennings, Brant Banks, and Smith provide depth. This upgrade also strains the field-goal protection unit, possibly shaping both fantasy output and in-game strategy.

Green Bay elevates Lecitus Smith from the practice squad to the gameday roster as injuries thin the offensive line for the Cowboys game. Zach Tom and Anthony Belton are out, with Aaron Banks likely sidelined, leaving Smith joined by Brant Banks and Donovan Jennings as backups. Smith, the only one with real NFL start experience among the depth options, would be the most likely center if Elgton Jenkins is unavailable. The Packers still project Rasheed Walker at left tackle, Jordan Morgan at left guard, Jenkins at center, Sean Rhyan at right guard, and Darian Kinnard at right tackle, with a possible swap of Morgan and Kinnard to bolster depth.

In short, injured tackle and guard spots thrust Smith into the spotlight as a potential center, while Banks and Jennings provide emergency options. The lineup, barring further changes, centers around Jenkins as the anchor with a shallow pool behind him.