While both teams’ kickers struggled on a windy day in New Jersey, one specialist wasn’t fazed by the elements when the Green Bay Packers faced off against the New York Giants. Packers punter Daniel Whelan stood calmly among the zephyrs when it mattered, pinning the Giants deep late in the fourth quarter with 60- and 61-yard bombs that helped prevent Jameis Winston from mounting a comeback.
It wasn’t an easy day for any specialist, but Whelan saved his best work for late in the game and helped seal the win for the Packers, earning a game ball in the process.
“When you need someone to flip the field, give it up for Daniel Whelan,” head coach Matt LaFleur said.
More Daniel Whelan victory speeches please, admin https://t.co/FuRCN17FTH
— weston hodkiewicz (@WesHod) November 17, 2025
Last week wasn’t Whelan’s only impressive game this season; he’s consistently been a weapon when pinning teams back. While the rest of special teams, especially the kickers, are floundering, Whelan is serving up Pro Bowl-level performances every week and deserves more recognition for his work.
A lack of consistency is one of the team’s most pressing issues this season. On any given week, the offense or the defense might struggle. A wide receiver might play like Randy Moss one week and become butterfingers the next. The kicker issue offers dire omens.
Through it all, Irish-born Whelan is a force of reliability.
In terms of volume, Daniel Whelan isn’t leading any major category. Green Bay doesn’t punt enough for that. Whelan didn’t even punt at all against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9, even though the offense wasn’t scoring points. Missed field goals and fourth-down plays led to a day off for Whelan.
His 31 punts are 26th in the league, and his 1,576 yards are 22nd. (The Denver Broncos’ Jeremy Crawshaw leads the league in both categories, with 57 punts and 2,741 yards.)
Having a bad offense and punting a lot will get you those volume stats. Still, Whelan shines as one of the most efficient punters in the league. He does more per attempt than most.
Whelan’s average punting distance is 50.8 yards, second-most in the league. He’s on the lower end of punters inside the opponent’s 20, but he’s on the lower side of fair catches, with seven.
Ultimately, he’s a great punter by most metrics, but Whelan shines most in situational football. When games are coming down to the wire, Whelan helps the defense by pinning opponents deep, and he put that skill on full display against the Giants.
The wind was a factor on Sunday. Green Bay’s replacement kicker, Lucas Havrisik, and Giants kicker Younghoe Koo missed extra points. The wind factored into coaching decisions about whether to attempt field goals.
The entire kicking operation had a rough day, longsnapper Matthew Orzech, in particular.
Whelan bailed Orzech out on one bad snap, making the most of a shank.
And another bad snap from long snapper Matt Orzech precedes a shank by Daniel Whelan. Manages to get it to the Giants 28.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 16, 2025
After a three-and-out shortly after Evan Williams‘ potentially game-sealing interception, Whelan minimized the chances for Winston to march the ball downfield with a 61-yard punt. The defense landed the killing blow shortly after with a sack-fumble, but Whelan set the stage.
Daniel Whelan: MVP
— Lily Zhao (@LilySZhao) November 16, 2025
On the day, he punted four times with two over 60 yards and two inside the 20. It was certainly worthy of the game ball he earned.
Whelan signed a two-year extension before this season and has rewarded the team’s trust with consistency every week. He’s probably the only sure thing the special teams group can hang its hat on.
Those last-minute game-closing bombs could earn Whelan his first Pro Bowl honor.
It’s fair to say punters don’t receive much attention. They only come in when the offense fails to finish a drive. Those dramatic punts that create a trial for opposing offenses and give Micah Parsons and Co. the chance to close out games are what fill punter highlight reels. If Whelan stays consistent and makes his plays when they matter most, the Irishman might see some individual honors at season’s end.
When one of your team’s most reliable and remarkable players is your punter, it’s not always a great feeling as a fan. But situational football wins games, and being able to count on someone on special teams doing the dirty work is a luxury. The Packers had a carousel of bad punters in the last few seasons, and Whelan reversed their fortune. Whelan is punting at a Pro Bowl level, and his accomplishments have earned him more accolades.
Daniel Whelan #ProBowlVote
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) November 16, 2025