Are NFL kickers’ jobs easier without crowds? They say no. Stats say … maybe?
New York TimesKa’imi Fairbairn knew where to look when the game hung in the balance. Year FG% 20-29 YDs FG% 30-39 YDS FG% 40-49 YDS FG% 50-59 YDS FG% OVERALL 2020 97 95.9 79.8 64.2 86 2015-19 97.8 91.3 76.4 62.7 83.9 2010-14 96.6 89 77.7 61.9 83.9 Five weeks and 309 field goal attempts into this season, it’s hard to know exactly what to make of this. “When we’re attempting a game winner at Heinz Field, it’s loud; for that to not be a thing, potentially, moving forward will certainly be unique,” Ravens kicker Justin Tucker said. “Some of my biggest kicks were in practice, where I felt like this kick will win me the job so I can make a career out of it.” And in a more recent example, Fairbairn’s Texans benefitted from Jacksonville’s Stephen Hauschka missing two kicks within the final minute of the first half on Sunday, in front of about 10,000 people. But the goal, Fairbairn said, remains the same: “It’s going for one on one every kick.” So far during this bizarre season, that’s been easier than ever before.
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