The playoffs heighten the stakes as each round moves forward. No shock there. However, it ramps up the pressure on the kicking game more. What coaches should be confident when they send out their kicker and what teams should turn away rather than watch?
8. Titans: Greg Joseph
There should be no surprise the Titans bring up the rear when it comes to the kicking game. They are on kicker No. 4 in Greg Joseph. Overall, the Titans have made all of eight field goals in 2019. Joseph had been on the practice squad of the Panthers like Harrison Butker, played in 14 games with the Cleveland Browns in 2018 hit 17-of-20 field goal attempts. He is 9-of-9 for Tennessee on PATs and has not kicked a field goal for the Titans.
7. Seahawks: Jason Myers
Jason Myers was fortunate to escape the Jets after a Pro Bowl season. Myers was 23-of-28 on field-goal attempts in his first season with Seattle, going 2-for-4 from 50 and beyond. He missed 4-of-40 PATs and had touchbacks on almost 70 percent of his kickoffs.
6. Packers: Mason Crosby
Mason Crosby is in his 13th season as the Packers’ kicker. He was a sixth-round pick from Colorado in 2007. Crosby has scored 1,575 points in his NFL career, hitting 329 field goals in 406 attempts. He’s also connected on 588-of-600 PATs. Crosby is 35-of-66 from 50 yards and longer, which could be a concern deep in a close game.
5. Vikings: Dan Bailey
Dan Bailey has been with the Vikings for two seasons after starting his NFL career as a dependable kicker for Dallas. In Minnesota, Bailey has played 30 games and connected on 48-of-57 field-goal attempts. He has made 70-of-75 PATs. He is 4-of-5 from beyond 50 for the Purple.
4. 49ers: Robbie Gould
You think the Chicago Bears are missing Robbie Gould? In three seasons as a Niner, Gould has connected on 95-of-106 field goals. He has a long of 53 for SF and an overall long of 58 but that was in 2013.
3.Ka’imi Fairbairn
By far the longest name in NFL history: John Christian Ka’iminoeauloameka’ikeokekumupa’a “Ka’imi” Fairbairn. The Texans’ kicker has booted 77 field goals in three years since leaving UCLA. He has 15 misses. Something to beware: while hitting 111 PATs, Fairbairn has also missed 10.
2. Chiefs: Harrison Butker
One of the best signings off a practice squad in a long time. Harrison Butker has given the Chiefs a true weapon in the kicking game. Butker is connecting at an 89.9 percent rate on field goals and has been good on 93-of-99 PATs. He has kicked off 188 times and has 133 touchbacks. Great stuff out of a former seventh-round pick from Georgia Tech.
1. Ravens: Justin Tucker
The best kicker in the game, one of the best in NFL history. If the Ravens have to turn to Justin Tucker to decide the contest, the other team is not going to be in great shape. Ask the 49ers.
