Green Bay’s start surprised many: Golden and Williams handling returns early, despite Nixon on roster.

The right tackle rotation behind Zach Tom has been a puzzle, with three different starters in three weeks.

Brinson’s flexibility has kept Stackhouse off the field more than expected, while Hobbs has been moved outside at corner more than anticipated.

Two wins over 2024 playoff teams preceded a 0-1-1 stretch against Dallas and Cleveland, setting up a key test vs Cincinnati.

Dak Prescott went 31-of-40 for 319 yards and 3 TDs, yet Dallas tied Green Bay 40-40 as the Packers leaned on a season-best 164 rushing yards. Jerry Jones kicked up a media stir by declaring Dak indispensable and Micah Parsons expendable, even as Parsons hit Prescott once. The day showcased high-flying Cowboys offense paired with run-heavy Green Bay, leaving fantasy managers weighing Dak’s ceiling in shootouts against the risk of a stalled defense.

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.