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NFL kicker confidence meter: Who to trust most, least with clutch field goals, extra points
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- NFL kicker confidence meter: Who to trust most, least with clutch field goals, extra points
NFL kicker confidence meter: Who to trust most, least with clutch field goals, extra points originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Expecting NFL kickers to make all of their field-goal and extra-point attempts is unreasonable. But in a league where so many games are decided by one possession in the fourth quarter, having a clutch leg can provide a big edge.
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There has never been this much kicking talent. Just as quarterbacks have developed stronger arms over the years, kickers have expanded their range, with so many capable of booming the ball from longer distances. Since 2020, the average number of 50-yard field-goal attempts per game has doubled from 0.3 to a record 0.6 in 2026. There have been an average of 0.4 50-yard field goals made per game, tying the record set in 2024.
To borrow from a certain webslinger, with that greater power also comes greater responsibility to deliver in key moments throughout games, all the way through potential game-winning opportunities in the fourth quarter.
How do you feel when your favorite NFL team in 2026 needs a difference-making field goal or extra points — from chip shots to long shots? Here's a look at which kickers you can trust most, to the ones who should cause the most uneasy feelings.
POWER RANKINGS: Bills the new No. 1; Patriots, Packers slide
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NFL kicker confidence index 2026
Excellent (8)
Ka'imi Fairbairn, Chris Boswell
Kai'mi Fairbairn, Texans
Fairbairn has been his usual money self with only one missed field-goal attempt in 16 attempts and going 6-of-7 on 50-yard tries. Unfortunately, Houston isn't doing enough winning to take advantage of it.
Will Reichard, Vikings
For a team that wins with defense and is rather challenged on offense, Reichard has become a lot more valuable. He's missed only one of his 19 field-goal attempts while joining Fairbairn with a 6-of-7 at 50 yards or more.
Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys
Aubrey has been out of character with four misses, including a botched extra point. He's only 12-for-15 on field goals, which is low accuracy for him. But those were all in the 50-yard range and Dallas is still confident with him from short to deep.
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Chris Boswell, Steelers
Boswell has missed four field-goal attempts: two fewer than 50 yards and two greater than 50 yards. But his body of work is strong and he also is very reliable on the most difficult field for kickers, Acrisure Stadium.
Evan McPherson, Bengals
McPherson was huge as a rookie in 2021, through the playoffs as the team won the AFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl 56. He's kept up that momentum since.
Chase McLaughlin, Buccaneers
McLaughlin bounced around from a few teams early in his career, including the 49ers and Colts . But he's found a strong home in Tampa as Ryan Succop's true successor.
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Jake Bates, Lions
Bates made his name kicking for the nearby Michigan Panthers as a USFL superstar. He's made the smooth transition from Pontiac to Detroit, still showing that viral leg but also banging up the must-makes for one of the NFL's most prolific offenses.
Jake Elliott, Eagles
Elliott has been a mainstay in Philadelphia since 2017, breaking out of a few slumps to be trusted everywhere. He's 5-of-5 on field goals this season but would be a bigger factor if not for the injury-riddled, anemic offense.
MORE: Week 8 NFL picks against the spread
Very Good (6)
Spencer Shrader PAT
© Katie Stratman
Spencer Shrader, Colts
Shrader was dominant with his scoring early, but of late he's missed two field-goal chances and a PAT attempt. That drops him to the very good category.
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Tyler Bass, Bills
Bass has gotten some heat and battled injuries in Buffalo, but he's 13-for-13 on field goals early in 2026. The two missed PATs slide him down a notch.
Jason Myers, Seahawks
Myers was a scoring machine during Seattle's winning run through Super Bowl 60. He's missed only two kicks through Week 7.
Matt Gay, Raiders
Las Vegas made a lot of smart signings and going for the well-traveled 32-year-old was one of them. He's stabilized their field-goal game with only two misses.
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Chad Ryland, Cardinals
Ryland had the game-winner against the Rams and is comfortable with volume, often with Arizona's offense stalling in scoring position. He has limited issues with longer field goals.
MORE: When will we see drafted QB's get their shot?
Joey Slye, Titans
The Titans also have needed to kick plenty of field goals with Cam Ward and the offense going through transitional growing pains. The big-legged 30-year-old has missed only once in 11 attempts.
Good (4)
Cam Little
Peter Cziborra-Reuters
Cam Little, Jaguars
Little has awesome range with a chance to set records every time he steps on the field. He is 6 for 6 inside 50 and 4 for 6 beyond 50, including a 60-yarder against the Texans . His two misses are from 54 and 70.
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Andre Szmyt, Browns
Don't be intimidated by the spelling of his surname. He is well-known to Cleveland fans in helping them win some tough games in the fourth quarter this season.
Cameron Dicker, Chargers
Dicker the Kicker has joined several of his teammates in having a rough season, taking away from his all-time leading accuracy. Dicker has cooled off to the point of missing two field-goal attempts in his first 11.
Jason Sanders, Jets
The Jets went through some kicker options before settling on the former notable Dolphin. The 30-year-old has been a boon to their improved offense, hitting 13 of 15 through seven games.
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Fair (9)
Tyler Loop, Ravens
Loop has been caught in a vicious circle, having high highs and low lows. He's shakier than desired on intermediate kicks but there's no doubt he has the leg to make anything.
Andy Borregales, Patriots
Borregales profiles much like Loop for a different AFC power used to lengthy stints of great kicking. He's solid, not spectacular, landing here.
Nick Folk, Falcons
The journeyman who started his career banging it big-time for the Cowboys has lost more than a bit at 41, but he has helped Atlanta recover well from the frustrating volatility of Younghoe Koo. He is 1 for 3 beyond 50.
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Ryan Fitzgerald, Panthers
Fitzgerald has crushed his 11 field goals, so it makes it weird that he has missed 5 of his 17 extra-point attempts. We'll see if one strength can save the other weakness.
Wil Lutz, Broncos
Just a reminder that his first name has one "L", just like his last name. The former Saint has followed Sean Payton well to Denver but in relation to the altitude boost, he's just average.
Drew Stevens, Commanders
If you don't know who the kicker is in Washington this season, now you should know that it's this undrafted rookie out of Iowa. The meh 22-year-old won over former 49ers bust Jake Moody.
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Brandon McManus, Rams
Harrison Mevis met his end earlier in the season and then Blake Grupe didn't stay healthy when replacing him. So it's back to this former Jaguar and Packer to deliver for Sean McVay, the most fickle kicker coach in the NFL.
Cairo Santos, Bears
Santos was trusted to put the game away vs. the Patriots despite some issues, a ploy for Ben Johnson to restore the 34-year-old Brazilian's confidence. In the end, he'still missed four field-goal attempts early.
Zane Gonzalez, Dolphins
Riley Patterson put Miami in the "poor" category, so they want somebody who makes most of his intermediate field goals. Gonzalez is a well-traveled mercenary at the position.
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Poor (5)
Harrison Butker, Chiefs
Butker has lost his control and accuracy in a hurry. He's gone from the most reliable kicker to an adventure every time he trots out for field goals and extra points. Andy Reid is concerned for real this time, as indicated by taking a flyer on disgraced former Ravens star Justin Tucker.
MORE: Justin Tucker puts Harrison Butker's future in doubt
Eddy Piniero, 49ers
Piniero is a year-to-year guy. He was great last season. He's been bad this season. The 49ers may need to make another change soon. Is Robbie Gould really retired? Hey, now that he's taking a break from coaching high school, he might be available once a week.
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Dominic Zvada, Giants
Zvada was solid early but he's now up to five field-goal misses in seven games. The Giants may need a veteran soon to replace the rookie in the quest to win the NFC East.
Trey Smack, Packers
The NFL has so many kickers whose surname starts with an "S" and another consonant, doesn't it? Here's another but Smack is also the worst of them. It's not a good year for rookie kickers so far. Seven missed kicks early put him on the roster's edge.
Daniel Carlson, Saints
Remember when he was the Vikings' potential superstar before Mike Zimmer cut him and he found success with the Raiders? Carlson has reverted back to his early struggles.
