Missing field goals, even in a preseason game, is always a concern. The Atlanta Falcons experienced this firsthand when their usually reliable kicker, Younghoe Koo, missed three attempts, all sailing left of the uprights.
Although Koo has established himself as one of the NFL’s top kickers, executing his role effectively is crucial regardless of whether it’s preseason, regular season, or practice. His recent performance should raise some concerns as the 2024 regular season approaches, particularly since it happened in a setting where he has historically struggled.
Koo’s three missed field goals in an outdoor stadium are especially worrisome. Not long ago, Koo was briefly the NFL’s all-time leader in field goal percentage before Justin Tucker reclaimed the top spot. Despite this, Koo has proven to be among the league’s best, missing only 17 of his 168 attempts with the Falcons.
When he missed three kicks in one game, it was cause for concern. In the second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, Koo pushed three field goals to the left, even though he did make a 54-yarder and a shorter attempt. Missing three kicks from the 40-yard range isn’t ideal, regardless of the game’s significance.
Interestingly, Koo’s struggles have typically occurred in either retractable roof or outdoor stadiums, where he has missed the majority of his attempts. While preseason stats don’t affect his official record, these missed kicks add to the concerns about his performance in open-air stadiums.
Should the Falcons consider replacing Koo? Absolutely not. He has still converted 90% of his attempts with the team, a success rate any coach would appreciate. The three missed kicks in the preseason are likely just a fluke. All misses went left, indicating a small adjustment is needed. Kickers who miss on both sides of the uprights tend to be less confident and overcorrect their form, which isn’t the case with Koo. He remains confident and ready for another strong season, despite his shaky preseason performance so far.
