Younghoe Koo of the Atlanta Falcons is known for his dependability, but his two failed kicks against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers loomed huge. Younghoe Koo has been one of the NFL’s most accurate kickers since joining the Atlanta Falcons little over four years ago.
He was tied for fourth in the NFL in field goal percentage entering Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, connecting on 24 of 25 tries, or 96 percent.
Koo had made 36 of 37 attempts dating back to Week 13 of 2022. He’d made 90 percent of his field goals throughout his career, the greatest figure in league history.
So there was a feeling of surprise when Koo hit a 50-yard field goal off the right post with 4:24 remaining in the second quarter on Sunday.
There was stunned silence as Koo’s 52-yard field goal just before halftime sailed wide left.
And when the Falcons were defeated 29-25 inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium – by a margin close enough that missed field goals were crucial – the ultra-dependable Koo was suddenly a vital element in a crushing defeat.
“Are those critical points?” “Those are important turnovers,” Koo added. “I need to get back to my routine and preparation, but those six points are crucial.” The guys gave it their all. I feel like I wasted a day today, so I’m going back to work. That’s all I can provide.”
Naturally, Koo’s biggest problems have come from long range, as all but one of his five missed from goals last season were 50 yards or more.
By Sunday, the 29-year-old had made all three of his attempts in that category, making him one of only four kickers in the league with no misses.
Everything unfolded regularly from Koo’s seat, from Liam McCullough’s snap to Bradley Pinion’s hold. He simply did not deliver his kick.
“It was a good operation by Liam and Bradley,” Koo went on to say. “Good snap and hold.” I just didn’t strike it hard enough, and it wasn’t good enough.”
With 11:13 remaining in the fourth quarter, Koo’s extra point cut the Falcons’ deficit to 19-17. It was his only attempt in the second half.
Following his two misses, Koo emphasized the need of resetting and preparing. He intends to approach the film room this week in the hopes of converting an unusual day into a learning experience.
Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder responded by saying that he needed to make the attempts easier… but Koo was certain that he needed to step up and connect on his kicks when the opportunity presented, especially after his second miss.
“I have to hit that,” remarked Koo. “Today I cost us. That is entirely on me.”
Arthur Smith, the third-year head coach of Atlanta, highlighted the significance of the two missed field goals when discussing his team’s offensive missed opportunities. However, Ridder, emphasizing the broader perspective, argued that the Falcons’ loss wasn’t solely attributable to Koo’s performance.
Ridder stated, “It’s not Koo’s fault,” stressing the collective responsibility of the offense to enhance field position for their kicker. He emphasized the need for the offense to advance the ball effectively, creating more favorable kicking scenarios rather than consistently relying on Koo for long-distance attempts.
Ridder commended Koo’s leadership qualities, noting his captaincy for the second consecutive season and praising his character.
In his tenure of 70 games with the Falcons, Koo has secured eight game-winning kicks at the buzzer, distinguishing himself as one of the few players remaining from Atlanta’s previous management.
Despite turbulent circumstances, Koo has been a stabilizing force for the team. Unfortunately, his challenging day coincided with the Falcons’ pivotal moment as they aimed to retain their lead in the NFC South.
Now, Atlanta is back to square one, tied for the division lead with four weeks to go… and rallying behind Koo, knowing he’ll have many more chances to get the Falcons back into the playoffs in the games ahead.
“We’re going to back Koo forever,” said receiver Drake London. “He’s a machine. This was just a fluke game for him, but I know he’ll be hungrier when he returns, and I guarantee he won’t miss another one.”
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