Packers Kicker Trey Smack Misses 2 Short Field Goals in 20-17 Lions Loss

Q: How will the Packers' offensive strategy shift on fourth downs knowing their rookie kicker struggles with routine short-yardage attempts?

Green Bay is likely to become more aggressive on manageable fourth downs, especially inside the fringe of field-goal range, because Trey Smack’s misses have made routine three points feel less automatic. The clearest shift should come in the red zone and from roughly the opponent’s 15- to 30-yard line. Matt LaFleur already has a history of leaning aggressive on fourth-and-short, and Smack’s broader season line — 11 for 16 on field goals with multiple recent misses and two missed extra points — only strengthens the case for keeping the offense on the field. In practical terms, that means more fourth-and-1 or fourth-and-2 attempts, more quarterback sneaks with Jordan Love, and more two-play sequencing on third and fourth down designed to gain the needed yards. That does not mean the Packers will abandon field goals entirely. LaFleur publicly backed Smack and said he is not being released for now, so Green Bay still has to manage games as if it has a usable kicker. In tight spots, especially when points clearly change game state late, they may still kick. But the margin for trusting short attempts has narrowed. The bigger effect may be situational. On neutral downs, Green Bay is now more likely to treat short-yardage chances as touchdown or conversion opportunities rather than settling for kicks. That could create more touchdown upside for Love and the run game, but it also raises the risk of empty drives if the offense fails to convert.

3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · Oct 26

Trey Smack missed from 26 yards and had a 35-yarder blocked Sunday, leaving Green Bay empty on two red-zone trips in a 20-17 loss at Detroit.
Those misses were extreme by 2026 standards: NFL kickers had entered the game 167-for-170 on attempts from inside 37 yards, and Smack accounted for two of the season's three failures.
The outing was also historically rare — the last NFL kicker to miss two field goals from 35 yards or shorter in one game was Mike Nugent seven years ago for New England.
Matt LaFleur said Smack will not be cut for now, but the performance sharply raises pressure on Green Bay's kicking situation.