Brandon McManus marked his triumphant return to the NFL with a memorable Lambeau Leap after he successfully kicked a game-winning field goal. The moment was a thrilling tribute to the custom initiated by Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler in 1993, even if McManus needed a bit of assistance from fans and teammates to hoist himself into the stands. “I definitely need to work on my hops,” joked McManus about his less-than-smooth leap into the crowd, in stark contrast to his confident 45-yard field goal that sealed the Green Bay Packers’ 24-22 triumph over the Houston Texans at the last second.
A notable highlight of Week 7 in the NFL, McManus’s celebration was mirrored across various games filled with big returns. The Denver Broncos, showcasing a dominant defense and a powerful running game, delivered a 33-10 victory against the struggling New Orleans Saints. This loss came during an emotional homecoming for Saints coach Sean Payton, who once guided the team to a Super Bowl win alongside quarterback Drew Brees.
In another thrilling game, running back Saquon Barkley celebrated his own homecoming at the Meadowlands, rushing for 176 yards and scoring a touchdown as the Philadelphia Eagles blew out the New York Giants 28-3. This match marked a bittersweet departure for Barkley, who had recently joined the Eagles after being let go by New York in the offseason.
Russell Wilson also made headlines after returning to the starting lineup post-injury. He led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a decisive 37-15 win over the New York Jets, validating coach Mike Tomlin’s daring choice to bench Justin Fields despite a strong start to the season.
The Kansas City Chiefs continued their impressive run, remaining the only undefeated team in the league with a 28-18 victory against the San Francisco 49ers. This win was particularly significant, emphasizing their dominance as they replicated their earlier season’s Super Bowl victory over the same opponents.
On a more somber note, Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb made a remarkable return to the field after a severe knee injury from the previous season, as he scored his first touchdown since late November 2022. However, the victory was bittersweet as Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a devastating rupture of his Achilles tendon during the game, further complicating the Browns’ season woes.
For those reunited, quarterback Aaron Rodgers’s reunion with wide receiver Davante Adams did not go as planned in their first game together since Adams left Las Vegas. Adams managed to catch only three out of nine attempts for a modest 30 yards—a stark contrast to the Steelers’ defense, which effectively intercepted Rodgers twice, leading to a significant shift in game momentum.
McManus, who joined the Packers midweek to fill the gap left by rookie kicker Brayden Narveson, was relishing the opportunity to contribute to such a storied franchise. Having faced his share of controversies this summer, the NFL cleared McManus of any wrongdoing in a civil suit involving allegations made by two flight attendants, with both parties reaching confidential settlements.
Just four days after signing with the Packers, McManus made all three of his extra points and clinched the game-winning field goal—albeit after an initial attempt was negated by a timeout called by Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. Reflecting on the moment, McManus appreciated the chance to practice before the final kick, indicating it helped him manage the windy conditions.
Following his successful kick, McManus sprinted to the stands for his inaugural Lambeau Leap, emphasizing the significance of playing in Green Bay and honoring its rich history. “What a tradition and a franchise this is, and I figured it would be cool to do that,” McManus shared, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to embrace such an iconic football culture. He may have some refining to do on his leap, but the experience of celebrating with the Packers’ dedicated fanbase is one he will cherish.