New England Patriots: Ranking Top 5 Disappointing Playoff Performers
By Hal Bent
Stephen Gostkowski
Another big playoff game, another missed extra point by Stephen Gostkowski. For the third straight season, the veteran kicker pooched a key point after attempt for the New England Patriots forcing them into an unnecessary two-point conversion attempt.
After the 2015 season, it was the AFC Championship game against Denver when Gostkowski missed the extra point in the first quarter after a Steven Jackson rushing touchdown. New England had to attempt a two-point conversion after scoring with 12 seconds to play and could not convert to send the game to overtime.
In Super Bowl 51, Gostkowski doinked his point after attempt off the upright after James White’s receiving touchdown in the third quarter. This required the Patriots to have to attempt two two-point conversions in their comeback. Fortunately, they converted both to get to overtime.
Gostkowski missed a 53-yard field goal attempt in the Divisional round versus Tennessee. However, it was a missed field goal and another missed extra point in the Super Bowl that again hindered the Patriots. He missed after the first touchdown in the first half. He also missed a chip shot 26-yard field goal early in the second quarter wasting as early scoring chance.
Those four points would be huge as the Patriots need all the points they could muster against Philadelphia in the Super Bowl.