Tucker sets NFL record, Prater gives up six points

This was an iconic week in the NFL for kickers. This week fans around the country awed at Justin Tucker’s
ridiculous 66-yard field goal to beat the Detroit Lions. This record-breaking kick was the absolute perfect way for the Lions’ poverty franchise to lose this game. This kick undoubtably cements Justin Tucker into the conversation as one of the greatest kickers of all time.

While on the topic of kickers, the previous record holder, Matt Prater, had a legendary kick of his own. This wasn’t the longest-kick-in-NFL-history kind of kick, but nonetheless it’s a highlight for the ages. Prater had a 68-yard field goal attempt returned for an amazing 109-yard kick-six by the Jaguar’s Jamal Agnew.

Agnew wiggled and weaved his way through the Cardinal’s kicking unit as the game clock hit zero before
half-time. After breaking multiple tackles, Agnew gave us a truly electric play for the ages. While these plays will be some major highlights at the end of the year, the most important event from this weekend was the prime-time noon game between the L.A Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs. There was no 109-yard return
nor 66-yard field goal, but there was a second tally in the loss column for the Chiefs.

That second loss for the Chiefs is more significant than any single play this week. The Kansas City Chiefs are still one of the best teams in the NFL. Lead by the 2018 MVP, face of the league, Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have a deadly combination of elite talent on offense and the creative play calling of head coach Andy Reid.

The Chiefs have built a beautifully-constructed offense with elite speed on the outside with a combination of Tyreek Hill, Byron Pringle and Mecole Hardman. Over the middle, they have arguably the best tight end in the game in Travis Kelce. Combine this with a solid running game and good offensive line play, and you have the nightmare that’s kept defensive coordinators up at night since Mahomes took over the starting job. The Chiefs will be a playoff team in 2021. However, the league has found a way to finally beat this high-powered offense: don’t let them get the ball.

Over the last two weeks we have seen teams opposing the Chiefs go for it on fourth down to seal the game. First, the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens went for it on fourth and three to ensure Mahomes never had the opportunity to win the game. This week we saw the Justin Herbert-led Chargers go for it on fourth and four. The Chargers were then charged with a five-yard penalty, which made it fourth and nine. They still went for it.

In both games these teams made very aggressive decisions to ensure Mahomes and the offensive juggernaut Chiefs never got their hands on the ball. In both games, the aggressive play call worked, which leads us to the Chiefs with a 1-2 record to start the season.

These losses won’t matter much at the end of the year. The Chiefs are sure to go on a tear and finish the season in the playoffs. Not to mention the Ravens and Chargers are two dynamic young teams with exciting quarterbacks under center.

However, teams now know if you want to beat the best team in the league, you have to take a chance or two… and not give the Chiefs one.