Kickers having a rough day? Pat McAfee feels your pain. Week 11 turned into a crazy ride for NFL kickers, with even studs like Evan McPherson and Justin Tucker hitting unexpected snags. The once-automatic leg of Tucker missed not one but two crucial field goals, leaving Ravens fans stunned.
Meanwhile, McPherson and others had their own misstep, adding to the chaos. It’s a tough gig, folks, and Week 11 proved that even the league’s sharpest legs can have an off day.
Week 11: When Even the Best NFL Kickers Missed the Mark
It’s official — Week 11 was a kicker’s nightmare. Pat McAfee summed it up perfectly with a simple, “Another reminder… Kicking is hard.” Harder than it should’ve been, apparently, as even the NFL’s elite couldn’t hit the mark.
Another reminder… #KickingIsHard
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 18, 2024
Start with Jake Elliott. Thursday Night Football was rough as the Eagles’ usually clutch kicker missed two field goals and an extra point. Philly won anyway, but Elliott’s misses had fans asking, “Wait, is Mercury in retrograde?”
Then came Sunday — a disaster for AFC North legs. Tucker, the gold standard of kicking, had a rare human moment. Two misses (47 and 50 yards) against the Steelers and the Ravens lost by, you guessed it, two points. Somewhere, a stat sheet cried.
Dustin Hopkins of the Browns followed up with a how-not-to-kick tutorial. He yanked two field goals under 33 yards on the same drive, even after getting a penalty-induced mulligan. Ouch.
Check The Mic podcast co-host and NFL insider Steve Palazzolo added gasoline to the fire, tweeting, “I’m losing track of which kickers are still good.”
I'm losing track of which kickers are still good
— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) November 18, 2024
McPherson wasn’t spared, either. Against the Chargers, the Cincinnati kicker sent two wide left, including a 51-yarder that could’ve sealed the game late in the fourth quarter, which cost the Bengals their season.
Well, even the league’s highest-paid kickers — Tucker and Elliott — are struggling, posting career-low field-goal percentages this season. And while rookies like Brandon Aubrey were nailing 50-yarders earlier this year, Week 11 reminded everyone that kicking isn’t just hard — it’s brutal.
Week 12 can’t come fast enough. For now, McAfee’s words ring true: kicking’s not just a job, it’s a gamble with the football gods.
Top Fantasy Kickers To Watch in Week 12
Week 12 fantasy kickers are shaping up to be crucial, and Ka’imi Fairbairn leads the pack as the No. 1 kicker. Despite Houston’s recent offensive struggles, Nico Collins’ likely return boosts their scoring potential, making Fairbairn a must-start every week.
Jake Bates of the Lions is also a top fantasy pick. Despite Detroit’s touchdown-heavy offense, Bates still scores consistently, especially in high-scoring games. Meanwhile, Jake Moody of the 49ers is getting back on track after an injury setback, with San Francisco’s offense back at full force.
In a high-stakes game against the Packers, expect Moody to step up and deliver. These three NFL kickers should be in your lineup for Week 12.