Once an NFL offense crosses the 20-yard line, coming away with at least a field goal should be pretty much a sure thing. This was not the case for the Packers on Sunday in Detroit.
Packers kicker Trey Smack missed a 26-yard field goal wide right and blocked a 35-yard field goal in the Packers’ 20-17 loss to the Lions.
Is it rare for an NFL kicker to miss such short field goals? So far this season, NFL kickers have made 167 of 170 field goals within 37 yards. Smack missed two of three on Sunday, and the other was a 23-yard field goal by Bears kicker Cairo Santos that was blocked by the Vikings in Week 2.
The last time a kicker missed two field goals of 35 yards or less in the same game was seven years ago, when Patriots kicker Mike Nugent missed two in a game against the Browns. Nugent was then cut.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur says Smack won’t be cut. At least not yet. But it’s safe to say that Smack HQ is getting hot.
Gn sports
