Factoid
We all saw the end of the Vikings-Saints game. Minnesota has the ball at the 33 with a minute left – in range for a 50-yard field goal. Two runs for no gain, a 5-yard penalty, and then Favre’s ill-advised throw.
As I’m organizing data for the 2010 magazine, I’m reminded that the Vikings not only have a very good kicker, they also have one who’s outstanding from long range. (Plus that game was played in a dome).
Longwell has gone 8 for 8 on kicks of 50-plus yards the last two years.
The below chart shows all kickers with at least 10 field goals of 50-plus yards. Longwell comes in at No. 4, behind Rob Bironas, Josh Brown, and the guy I think is the most underrated kicker in the league (Phil Dawson).
Just as they have with Gary Anderson’s inexplicable win-clinching miss of a chip shot against Atlanta in the NFC Championship game following the 1998 season, Vikings fans will be ruefully remembering this loss for a lot of years.
On the following chart, by the way, both of the last guys listed belong to the Colts – neither Matt Stover nor Adam Vinatieri is good on long-range kicks.
ACTIVE KICKERS: ACCURACY ON 50-YARD FIELD GOALS
Shows only kickers with at least 10 successful field goals.
FG FGA Pct
13 19 .684 Rob Bironas
25 37 .676 Josh Brown
10 16 .625 Phil Dawson
22 36 .611 Ryan Longwell
39 65 .600 Jason Elam
21 36 .583 John Carney
16 28 .571 Rian Lindell
18 33 .545 Kris Brown
42 79 .532 Jason Hanson
11 21 .524 Josh Scobee
25 49 .510 Sebastian Janikowski
37 74 .500 John Kasay
10 20 .500 Jay Feely
19 39 .487 Neil Rackers
14 29 .483 David Akers
15 32 .469 Joe Nedney
18 39 .462 Olindo Mare
10 22 .455 Adam Vinatieri
13 32 .406 Matt Stover
—Ian Allan
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