Being an NFL kicker is no cake walk. Nobody notices when you do your job well, but once you miss a few kicks, there’s a collective outrage among fans and fantasy football players.
The Atlanta Falcons suffered a three-point loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 10 and Younghoe Koo’s three missed kicks were arguably the difference in the game.
Even though one of his kicks was blocked, missing two field goals in a game is extremely uncharacteristic of Koo. The veteran kicker took full responsibility for Sunday’s loss.
“This game’s fully on me,” Koo told ESPN’s Marc Raimondi after the game. “I’ll take that and yeah, that’s not OK. I think we were playing well enough to win the football game, especially this one, and I let the team down and I don’t take that lightly. It’s one of the lowest points as a kicker.”
Koo has converted on more than his share of tough kicks since joining the Falcons late in 2019. For the last three seasons, he’s been the team’s most reliable source of offense. It’s also worth noting that Koo hit the game-winning kick in Atlanta’s Week 4 win over the Saints.
Despite the rough day for Koo, his teammates and coaches made sure to have his back after the game.
“He had an off day. It happens,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said after the game. “A ton of times, shooters shoot. He went out there and took his shots and didn’t make them.”
Even team owner Arthur Blank made sure to comfort Koo as he walked off the field.
Quite a moment caught by @bkfox5sports after Falcons loss — kicker Younghoe Koo taps himself on the chest as he exits field, then team owner Arthur Blank puts his arm around Koo and talks with him as they walk off the field. pic.twitter.com/wZkqTCMqGM
— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) November 10, 2024
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Fortunately for the Falcons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also lost in Week 10. That keeps Atlanta in first place in the NFC South with a two-game lead over the Buccaneers.
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