In a shocking turn of events, the Atlanta Falcons’ star kicker Younghoe Koo uncharacteristically missed three crucial field goals in a heartbreaking 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Despite the devastating outcome, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was quick to express unwavering support for his typically reliable kicker.
I’ve got all the confidence in the world in Koo. He’s one of the best kickers in this game. He’s done it for a long time. He had an off day. It happens a bunch of times. Like, shooters shoot. We went out there and took a shot today and didn’t make it.
– Raheem Morris, Falcons head coach
Koo’s Uncharacteristic Misses
Koo, who entered the game with the sixth-best field goal percentage in NFL history (87.63%) among kickers with a minimum of 100 attempts, struggled mightily against the Saints. His misses proved costly, as a 46-yard attempt that would have tied the game with 6:43 left went wide, sealing the Falcons’ fate.
The 30-year-old kicker also missed a first-quarter field goal that would have evened the score and had another blocked just before halftime, leaving the Falcons trailing 17-7.
Koo Takes Responsibility
Visibly shaken after the game, Koo shouldered the blame for the loss, refusing to make excuses for his performance.
It’s not the standard that we have, or I have for myself. This game is fully on me. 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.
– Younghoe Koo, Falcons kicker
A Drastic Departure from the Norm
Koo’s struggles on Sunday were a stark contrast to his typically stellar performance. In the 2022 and 2023 seasons combined, he had made 32 of 37 field goal attempts, a testament to his reliability and consistency.
However, this season has been more challenging for the Falcons’ kicker, as he has now made only 17 of 24 attempts (70.8%), his worst showing since his rookie year with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017.
Team Rallies Behind Their Kicker
Despite the disappointing outcome, Koo’s teammates and coaches were quick to offer their support and emphasize their belief in his abilities.
We love Koo. Just, it’s a tough job. Any time points are missed or any time we give up points, it’s always critical and crucial. But we know who Koo is, we know he’s our leading specialist on the team, and we all love and appreciate everything he do week in and week out.
– A.J. Terrell, Falcons cornerback
As the Falcons look to rebound from this setback, they will undoubtedly rely on Koo’s mental toughness and proven track record to help them bounce back. With the unwavering support of his team, Koo will have the opportunity to redeem himself and showcase the elite kicking skills that have made him one of the most respected players in the league.
The road ahead may be challenging, but with a united locker room and a kicker determined to prove his worth, the Atlanta Falcons remain confident in their ability to overcome adversity and compete at the highest level.
