When the Miami Dolphins successfully landed “Mountaineer Shot” against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, everyone knew the play would be turning some heads all week long. And sure enough, the play has developed quite the fanfare in less than 72 hours since Miami’s punter/kicker touchdown combination shocked the playoff-hopeful Eagles.
The NFL has recognized one half of the special teams combo — bestowing kicker Jason Sanders with the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award for Week 13 of the NFL season.
Special Teams Players of the Week (Week 13):
AFC: @MiamiDolphins K @jasonsanderss
NFC: @Redskins P @Tress_Way(by @Headshoulders) pic.twitter.com/AYiLj80pPO
— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2019
It’s probably the only time you’re ever going to see a kicker with a missed extra point get recognized for the best performance of the week, so kudos to Sanders for helping the Dolphins to recover from his missed kick. Shoot — it was technically a net gain of 5 points when it was all said and done, nearly the entire winning margin in Miami’s 37-31 victory against the Eagles.
Sanders’ touchdown reception as a kicker was the first time the league had seen such a feat since 1977.
.@MiamiDolphins TD pass from Matt Haack to Jason Sanders was the first punter-to-kicker touchdown pass in NFL history (though we should say pure punter). In 1977, Denver Broncos kicker Jim Turner caught a touchdown pass from Norris Weese, who was a QB/punter.
— Alain Poupart (@apoupartFins) December 2, 2019
Sanders’ workload is a bit lighter this year, as the Dolphins have elected to play more aggressive on the offensive side of the ball and forego field goals for touchdowns on numerous occasions this year. But Sanders, aside of a blip from beyond 40 yards earlier this year, has been a promising piece of Miami’s special teams success after Miami made him a 7th round draft selection in 2018.
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