The Kansas City Chiefs are facing uncertainty with their kicking game after Harrison Butker missed a crucial 54-yard field goal attempt on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. The miss allowed Denver to take over and orchestrate a game-winning touchdown drive.
The Missed Opportunity Against Denver
The Chiefs held a three-point lead when they advanced to the Denver 30-yard line facing a third-and-2 situation. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked for a six-yard loss on the play, pushing a manageable 48-yard field goal attempt back to 54 yards. Butker ultimately pushed his kick wide to the right.
This misfire marked the third significant miss in a two-week span for Butker. His position with the team has drawn additional scrutiny following the Kansas City Chiefs adding former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad.
Andy Reid Defends the Decision
Following the game, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid defended the choice to rely on Butker for the deep field goal try, as reported by FOX 4 Kansas City. “Those are hindsight. It ended up being what it was,” Reid said. “But it’s within Harrison’s range.”
Statistical tracking shows a decline in Butker’s long-range accuracy. Through the 2023 season, he converted 89.1% of his total field goal attempts, including 70% from beyond 50 yards by making 28 out of 40 tries.
Since that period, Butker’s overall success rate has dropped to 82.2%, with his conversion rate from beyond 50 yards falling to 44.4% by making just 8 of 18 attempts. This season alone, he has converted only 1 of 5 kicks from 50 yards or further, which includes a short miss and a 45-yard wide right miss during a previous matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
