Jake Elliott’s performance against the Washington Commanders serves as a reminder that even the best players have off-nights
For fans who are used to his reliability, this game may have been frustrating, but it shouldn’t overshadow the years of consistent, game-winning kicks Elliott has provided.
Kicking in the NFL is one of the most mentally challenging roles, and his ability to recover from early misses and contribute to the Eagles’ win shows his professionalism and mental toughness.
While fans may remember this game for the missed kicks, Elliott’s overall legacy with the Eagles remains solid, and he’s likely to continue as one of the NFL’s top kickers.
The Philadelphia Eagles have proven they are a formidable team in every aspect of the game — except, perhaps, for special teams. Jake Elliott’s kicking struggles and the team’s coverage issues have highlighted the need for improvement.
As they approach the playoffs, the Eagles must address these vulnerabilities to avoid costly mistakes. With renewed focus and a commitment to consistency, the Eagles have the potential to turn their special teams into a strength rather than a liability, setting the stage for a championship push.
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Table of Contents
Jake Elliott’s Rocky Night
How One of the NFL’s Best Kickers Struggled but Bounced Back
Jake Elliott, the Philadelphia Eagles’ trusted placekicker, has built a reputation as one of the most consistent kickers in the NFL.1
Known for his calm composure and clutch kicks, he has played an instrumental role in many Eagles’ victories.
However, in a recent game against the Washington Commanders, Elliott faced an unusually challenging night, one that sparked frustration among fans and ignited conversations about his future performance.
This game showed the highs and lows of being an NFL kicker, with Elliott rebounding in ways that only the best players can.
In honor of Willy and Roxy, I will cover the adoption of a dog from @_streettails with each field goal I make this season. So far, that’s 2 adoptions covered!! pic.twitter.com/EuOZ80JVPb
— Jake Elliott (@jake_elliott22) September 8, 2024
Early Game Struggles: The Missed Field Goals
Elliott’s rough night began with a pair of missed field goals, a rarity for a kicker known for his accuracy and composure.
These misses immediately captured attention because, over his career, Elliott has been reliable even under intense game situations. His struggles led some fans to wonder what could be affecting him.
In a game as close as this, those missed points could have shifted the game’s momentum and outcome entirely, so it’s understandable that fans and analysts alike were quick to react.
The Extra Point Miss: A Shocking Mistake
If the missed field goals were surprising, Elliott’s miss on the extra point after a Jalen Hurts touchdown was downright shocking.
This type of kick is almost automatic for NFL kickers, with a conversion rate over 90% league-wide. Yet, on this particular night, Elliott missed, adding to his earlier struggles and leaving fans stunned.
For Eagles fans who have come to rely on Elliott’s steady performance, this rare lapse was a moment of major disappointment.
Jake Elliott: Fans’ Reactions
A Frustrated Fan Base
Eagles fans are known for their passionate and sometimes intense reactions to their team’s performance. As Elliott missed kicks in a game that remained close, fans took to social media to vent their frustrations.2
Comments ranged from disappointment to outright calls for his release from the team.
Statements like “Two missed FGs, and now an extra point — WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH JAKE ELLIOTT??” reflected the collective frustration, while others speculated that Elliott might be “trying to get cut.”
Kickers hold a unique role in football, often appearing only in crucial moments where games can be won or lost by a single point.
As Elliott has often been the hero of close games, his sudden struggles were all the more difficult for fans to process.
A missed field goal or extra point not only impacts the score but can also shift a game’s momentum. Knowing this, fans’ frustrations are a testament to just how crucial Elliott’s performance usually is to the Eagles’ success.
The Pressure of Being a Kicker: How One Night Can Affect a Career
Unlike most players who can make up for a bad play in a later quarter or series, a kicker’s mistake is often more visible and difficult to recover from.
Each kick is scrutinized, and even one miss can lead to job insecurity. While Elliott’s track record suggests this game was an outlier, it’s easy to see why one off-night could generate so much talk among fans and analysts.
NFL kickers often face career-defining moments with each kick, and in this high-pressure environment, any mistake can come under the microscope.
Bouncing Back Under Pressure
- Despite the initial setbacks, Elliott showed resilience by hitting his next two extra points, helping to keep the Eagles in control of the game.
- It’s worth noting that the mental fortitude required to come back and nail those kicks after earlier struggles is significant.
- Elliott’s ability to regain his focus and deliver when it mattered most demonstrated his professionalism and resilience, qualities that have defined his career and made him a valued player for the Eagles.
- Kickers may operate in isolated moments, but the support of coaches and teammates can make a huge difference.
- Coaches often offer reassurance, reminding the kicker of their strengths and emphasizing the need to move past the last play. Teammates, too, play a role in maintaining morale.
- Following Elliott’s early misses, it’s likely that the team provided him with the encouragement needed to stay focused. Such support can make all the difference in helping players rebound from a tough situation.
Jake Elliott: Consistency Benefited the Eagles in the Past
Elliott’s performance in this game was a stark contrast to his usual contributions. Throughout his career, he has delivered clutch kicks in critical moments, proving to be a steady hand under pressure.3
His consistency has provided the Eagles with a level of reliability on special teams that few teams enjoy.
Fans may remember the famous 61-yard field goal Elliott hit against the New York Giants in his rookie season, which was crucial for the Eagles’ season. Such moments have cemented Elliott as one of the most dependable kickers in the league.
Fan Loyalty and Expectations: A Double-Edged Sword
The backlash from fans highlights the high expectations that Philadelphia supporters hold for their players, especially those like Elliott who have delivered consistently in the past.
In cities with passionate sports followings, players who rise to the occasion are often held to a high standard, but they also face more scrutiny when they fall short.
While Elliott has typically been appreciated for his role, this game showcased how fans’ loyalty can quickly turn into frustration.
One off-game can have a variety of explanations, from physical fatigue to mental challenges. The kicker’s job requires a unique skill set that combines technical precision with mental fortitude.
Fatigue, minor injuries, or even changes in field conditions can impact a kicker’s performance. Given the highly controlled and repetitive nature of kicking, a slight deviation in focus or technique can lead to missed attempts, reminding fans that the role is far from easy.
The Outcome: Eagles Win Despite the Setbacks
Ultimately, the Eagles secured a 26-18 victory over the Commanders, and Elliott’s kicks contributed to the final score.
While his early misses were concerning, he found his rhythm later in the game, allowing Philadelphia to extend their lead and ultimately take the win.
His performance underscores that one challenging game doesn’t define an entire career, and he remains an important part of the Eagles’ lineup.
Elliott’s rough night will likely serve as motivation moving forward. It’s expected that he’ll work on the aspects of his game that led to the initial mistakes, and his strong track record suggests that he’ll bounce back stronger.
The game against the Commanders, while difficult, was ultimately just one of many games in a long season. The coaching staff, teammates, and fans are likely to continue to support him, knowing his value to the team.
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Jake Elliott’s Missed Kicks Raise Concerns
One of the standout issues within the Eagles’ special teams has been the performance of placekicker Jake Elliott.
Known for his impressive accuracy, Elliott has generally been a reliable kicker for Philadelphia. However, a few high-profile misses this season have raised concerns.
For instance, Elliott missed a critical field goal against the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of the missed attempts that fans and analysts have scrutinized.
Adding to these concerns, Elliott had a field goal blocked by the Cleveland Browns, which was then returned for a touchdown by Rodney McLeod. This miscue underscored the potential for special teams errors to have significant consequences in tight games.
While Elliott’s misses were from long range — with the attempts exceeding 57 yards — they marked the first such misses of his season, adding pressure to the special teams unit.
Head coach Nick Sirianni and special teams coordinator Michael Clay have both emphasized the importance of improving this unit’s performance to avoid potentially game-altering mistakes.
Michael Clay’s Perspective on Special Teams Blunders
Special teams coordinator Michael Clay has been candid about the impact of these mistakes. Clay understands that special teams are often underestimated but can play a crucial role in determining the outcome of a game.
Commenting on Elliott’s missed kicks and blocked field goal, Clay stated, “Those are things that kill a season, a team right there.”
For Clay, the responsibility falls not only on Elliott but also on his coaching strategy, noting that his own job is to instill awareness in his players about potential blocking schemes and high-alert situations.
Clay’s message to the team has been clear: these kinds of blunders are unacceptable if the Eagles want to contend at the highest level.
He has taken a hands-on approach in addressing the problems by encouraging the players to see their mistakes as opportunities for growth rather than just errors. “When players make mistakes, you have to take it as a learning curve, not just for that moment, but for the rest,” Clay stated.
This mindset reflects the team’s proactive approach to managing special teams issues, though results have yet to fully materialize.
Jake Elliott’s Perfect Performance Against the Giants and Bengals
Despite the challenges he faced earlier in the season, Jake Elliott demonstrated resilience in his subsequent performances.
In the Eagles’ 28-3 victory over the New York Giants, Elliott was perfect on extra points, helping the team maintain its momentum without needing to attempt a field goal.
In the following game against the Cincinnati Bengals, he continued his perfect streak, showing his ability to bounce back from earlier setbacks.
These performances were encouraging signs for the Eagles, as they highlighted Elliott’s mental toughness and ability to stay focused.
A kicker’s performance can be as much about psychology as it is about technique, and Elliott’s ability to rebound from mistakes has been a testament to his experience and confidence.
Maintaining this level of consistency will be essential as the Eagles approach the playoffs, where even a single missed kick can be the difference between victory and defeat.
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Another Factor in Special Teams Success
In addition to Elliott’s individual performance, the snap and hold quality play critical roles in field goal success. A kicker’s accuracy can be affected by a poor snap or hold, and the Eagles have had instances where these elements weren’t as sharp as they should be.
Long snapper Rick Lovato and holder Arryn Siposs, the Eagles’ punter, are tasked with ensuring a smooth operation on every field goal attempt. Any slight mistake, whether it’s a high snap or a delayed hold, can disrupt the timing needed for a successful kick.
The Eagles have acknowledged that special teams is a collective responsibility, with everyone from the snapper to the blockers contributing to the outcome.
Clay has worked closely with Lovato and Siposs to refine their techniques and ensure better coordination with Elliott. Attention to these details is critical as even the slightest mishap can lead to a blocked kick, as was the case against the Cleveland Browns.
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