Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby has had his share of struggles in his career, but at no point in his life has he had a game quite like the 1-for-5 performance against the Detroit Lions two Sundays ago. That game, which also saw him miss an extra point, would be the rock-bottom point for any kicker, and if he had been a young player or one with a less established track record, he probably would have been out of a job.
Instead, the Packers stood by the veteran and were rewarded with a 4-for-4 performance (with three converted PATs) on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers. The final field goal was a 28-yarder that Crosby drilled as time expired, giving the Packers a 33-30 comeback victory.
On Wednesday, Crosby’s bounce-back game was recognized by the NFL, as he was named the NFC’s special teams player of the week for week six.
With those four field goals on Monday, Crosby now leads the NFL in field goal attempts with 20. His hit rate of 75% is well below the league average, thanks to that game against Detroit, but his 15 made field goals still ranks tied for second behind the Jets’ Jason Myers, who is 16-for-17 on the season.
In addition, Crosby has already attempted more field goals this year through six games than he did a year ago in a full season (he went 15-of-19) while currently being on pace for the same number of PAT attempts (35). This is due in part to the Packers’ uncharacteristic struggles in the red zone; after finishing in the top ten in the NFL in red zone touchdown percentage the past two years, the Packers are just 22nd in the NFL at an even 50% this season.
Congratulations to Mason on this honor.