Like many rookie NFL players, Anders Karlsson is going through some growing pains. The former Auburn kicker has been shocking the past six weeks, hitting 11 of 14 field goals and 13 of 16 extra points. Two of Carlson’s punts were over 50 yards, but his three extra point punts are truly significant.Some fans online already love Carlson.
The rookie doesn’t need another year and they want the Packers to trade him.I’m here to tell you to give it one more season. Carlson was inconsistent but had the leg power to convert over 50 yards and deliver in the clutch. Packers fans had the full Carlson experience this week. The rookie missed an extra point early in the game, but was perfect, scoring a career-high 53 points and hitting two field goals, including the game-winner with 19 seconds left.
Despite his efforts, Carlson still attracts the attention of many fans. Search his name on Twitter and get ready for a roller coaster of emotions and comments. But that’s not always the case. Now that he is fighting, the narrative around him has changed. The rookie got off to a strong start. Carlson didn’t miss his first field goal until Week 7 in Denver. He missed the first extra point in Week 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But after missing that shot, Carlson became increasingly inconsistent. The game against the Carolina Panthers was a microcosm of this season. Finally, Carlson missed four extra points and five touchdowns that came after Week 7. What’s interesting about Carlsen’s missed extra point is that when he hit the kick, it was perfect from 40 yards away . Field goal.
It’s not the most encouraging sign, but Carlson deserves patience.If not for Joe Barry’s defensive blunder, Carlson would have had a huge win against the New York Giants. Carlson also provided key points in a come-from-behind win over the New Orleans Saints earlier this year. Here are the positives for Carlson: So far this year, there hasn’t been a match where Carlsen has been criticized for missing a shot at a crucial moment. He thrived when it mattered most. This can be difficult for new players to understand. Carlson wasn’t perfect, but neither was Mason Crosby.
In the first six years of Crosby’s career, he only once had a higher field goal percentage than Carlson’s current average of 82.8%. Crosby’s field goal percentage was 77%. Crosby’s field goal percentage reached 90 in his seventh year. Crosby is Green Bay’s all-time leading scorer. The kicker is weird. In the end, Carlson will reward the Packers for their patience. The kicker’s year is always weird. Check out the second best player in the league this year. Greg Zuerlein currently has a FG of 96.8%. Zuerlein played for three different teams, including seven years with the Los Angeles Rams, two years with the Dallas Cowboys and the last two years with the New York Jets.
Aside from this season, there have only been two seasons where Zuerlein’s FG percentage has been over 90, and Zuerlein has only shot 83.3% from the field for his career. Zuerlein wasn’t always the best player in the league. Few players are as consistent as Justin Tucker. Even if Carlson misses the big shot this season, he should still be a part of Green Bay’s plans. The rookie showed that before collapsing in the first half of the season. That doesn’t mean it’s worth cutting.
