Updated: December 12, 2025
- Five field goals were missed or blocked on Wild Card Weekend
- In the Divisional Round, some of the game’s best will be on display
- Is Bovada right? Will fewer than three field goals be missed this weekend?
We don’t remember the field goals that get made. We remember the misses.
And poor Cody Parkey is going to get remembered for a long, long time.
While his game-winning field goal attempt was ultimately deemed a block, Vegas is drawing a little inspiration from Parkey's miss. They’re expecting the kicking game to be significantly better come the Divisional Round.
How Many Field Goals Will Be Missed During the Divisional Round?
| How Many Field Goals Will Be Missed During the Divisional Round? | Odds at Bovada |
|---|---|
| Over 3 | +115 |
| Under 3 | -155 |
Wild Card weekend holdovers Were Successful on Field Goals
Wild Card weekend did a good job of skimming off the kickers that could skew this the other way.
Colts’ kicker Adam Vinatieri lives for the playoffs. Since missing three of his first six career playoff kicks, Vinatieri has gone 53/62. He was 13th in accuracy this season among kickers with 20+ makes.
2018 Kicker Statistics
| Kicker | Regular Season Field Goals Made/Missed | Regular Season Field Goal Percentage | Wild Card Weekend Field Goals Made/Missed | Wild Card Weekend Field Goal Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Vinatieri, IND | 23/27 | 85% | N/A | N/A |
| Michael Badgley, LAC | 15/16 | 94% | 5/6 | 83% |
| Jake Elliott, PHI | 26/31 | 84% | 1/1 | 100% |
| Brett Maher, DAL | 29/36 | 81% | 1/2 | 50% |
Historical Kicker Performance in Playoff Games
The past performance of kickers in playoff games often shapes current expectations. For instance, Stephen Gostkowski has been a steady name in New England's playoff history, boasting a 90% success rate.
Harrison Butker from the Chiefs shows promise but lacks wide playoff experience. These records can greatly affect teams' confidence in attempting field goals during important moments. This influences their in-game strategies.
The Cowboys’ Brett Maher is farther down, sitting 18th in accuracy of the 20+ club. He was one of the five misses on Wild Card Weekend. He’s been inconsistent, missing kicks in three of his last four games.
#DallasCowboys kicker Brett Maher is no good from 58 yards… would have tied the longest postseason field goal in NFL history… Still 3-3… @NBCDFW @1053thefan
— Pat Doney (@PatDoneyNBC5) January 6, 2019
The Eagles’ Jake Elliott needs no introduction, as he has one of the best legs in the league. He had four misses from Weeks 1-7, but is 16-for-17 since. He hit his lone Wild Card field goal.
The Chargers have used 6 kickers the last 2 seasons. Last year, they missed the playoffs because of how bad they were at that position. This year, they have a 12-0 lead in their first playoff game because an undrafted rookie named Michael Badgley finally became the answer.
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) January 6, 2019
Mike Badgley of the Chargers had the best day of any Wild Card kicker, going 5-for-6. He also had the best season percentage-wise, missing just one of 16 kicks.
Division-Winning Kickers Shine
The Patriots Stephen Gostkowski is the most battle-tested of the four. He was 14th in accuracy in the 20+ club, and is 34-for-38 in the playoffs. The Chiefs’ Harrison Butker was better than Gostkowski, but has missed his lone playoff kick.
2018 Kicker Statistics
| Kicker | Regular Season Field Goals Made/Missed | Regular Season Field Goal Percentage | Career Playoff Field Goals Made/Missed | Career Playoff Field Goal Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Gostkowski, NE | 27/32 | 84% | 34/38 | 90% |
| Harrison Butker, KC | 24/27 | 89% | 0/1 | 0% |
| Will Lutz, NO | 28/30 | 93.3% | 2/3 | 66% |
| Greg Zuerlein, LAR | 27/31 | 87% | N/A | N/A |
Will Lutz has solved the Saints’ long-time kicking problem, going 28-for-30. Lutz has nailed two of his three postseason kicks, all of them coming in domes.
Thank God for Will Lutz. #Saints pic.twitter.com/8e8a8uDJzR
— Nate Williamson (@NateJWSports) January 7, 2019
For the Rams, Greg Zuerlein falls into the Elliott category. He’s got a big leg and missed just four kicks this year, but he’s actually never kicked in the playoffs.
He was placed on Injured Reserve before Week 16 of last year.
Where Will They Be kicking Field Goals?
Weather conditions have a big impact on field goal accuracy. Cold temperatures can make the football harder, while wind and rain can change its flight path. Historical data shows kickers tend to be less accurate in bad weather, making places like Kansas City, with its unpredictable weather, a challenging spot for kickers hoping for success.
Divisional Round Playoff Game Locations
| Game | Location | Time (EST) | Wind | Temp (High/Low) | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts vs Chiefs | Kansas City, MO | 4:35 pm | 8 MPH | 39/29 | 40% |
| Cowboys vs Rams | Los Angeles, CA | 8:15 pm | 5 MPH | 62/50 | 20% |
| Chargers vs Patriots | Foxborough, MA | 1:05 om | 7 MPH | 30/17 | 20% |
| Eagles vs Saints | New Orleans, LA | 4:40 pm | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Loud stadiums can ruin a kicker's focus, particularly in playoff scenarios. Venues like Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City are famous for intense noise levels, which might trouble visiting teams. While some kickers thrive in these environments, others may feel increased stress, possibly affecting their success rate.
Both night games should be fine. The Rams should get good weather and the Saints play in a dome.
Kansas City will be interesting. There’s an 80% chance of precipitation on Friday, and 40% on Saturday, where the winds die down to eight MPH . It’s something to keep in mind, but the field goals will likely be shorter in this one anyways.
As the Patriots welcome the Chargers to Foxboro on Sunday, the forecast calls for 3 to 5 inches of snow and a high of 30 degrees.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 7, 2019
New England is the biggest wild card. It’ll likely be the coldest of them all, and while the winds are low the chances of precipitation are fluctuating. The forecast is something to watch, as there’s potential they could be hit with a storm.
How Many Field Goals Will Be Missed in the Divisional Round?
Recently, the average number of missed field goals in Divisional Rounds has slightly decreased. This reflects better kicker performance and better technology. Historical comparisons indicate that teams tend to trust kickers in tight situations, though this trust varies with each unit's reliability over the season.
Team Strategies Affecting Kicking Decisions
Coaches often tweak their strategies based on player performance and in-game conditions. Teams like the Patriots, known for their analytical approach, may choose more aggressive plays over kicking in tough weather.
In contrast, teams with high-scoring offenses might go for touchdowns to avoid the risks linked with longer field goal attempts.
Despite the potential for nasty weather in Foxborough, we’re going with the under on this one.
Most of the kickers left are reliable. And it would take a truly down day from any of the lower tier to make the over playable. Trust the legs this weekend.
The post Odds Say Less Than 3 Field Goals Missed in Divisional Round appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.
Original source: https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/news/nfl/odds-say-less-than-3-field-goals-missed-in-divisional-round/
