3 players who could make or break the Cowboys’ playoff run
2. Greg Zuerlein, K
Is it just me or do you get nervous every time kicker Greg Zuerlein attempts a kick, field goal, or extra point?
When looking at his numbers in 2021, they aren’t as bad as people probably think. Actually, his numbers are better than they were a season ago. This season, Zuerlein has converted 28 of 33 field goals and 34 of 39 extra points. In the respective categories, that puts him at 84.8 percent at field goals and 87.2 percent at extra points on the season.
His 84.8 field goal percentage is better than last season where he finished with 82.9 percent.
However, making kicks is a vital part of the game and that percentage needs to be higher, especially in the playoffs.
Fans have seen numerous times where kickers will singlehandedly lose teams playoff games.
Two that come to mind, former Vikings kicker Blair Walsh shanking a 27-yard field goal attempt and former Chicago Bears kicker Cody Parkey with his famous “double doink” kick for the loss.
Cowboys K Greg Zuerlein: "If I did my job, we win that game. I feel bad for the guys in there that played their ass off, and I didn’t hold up my end of the deal. ...We’re right there (as a team). I just have to do my job."
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 10, 2021
This is simply something that the Cowboys can’t afford in the playoffs. There’s no doubt that Zuerlein has been shaky this season and has cost Dallas some games. In Week 1, Greg the Leg missed two field goals and an extra point, the Cowboys lost by two points. Then, in Week 12 against Las Vegas, he missed a field goal and an extra point, Dallas lost by three in overtime.
Then, there are times where the former sixth-round pick is a hero. In Week 2, Zuerlein made the game-winning 56-yard field goal and nailed a 49-yard attempt against New England in Week 6 to force overtime.
That’s the kicker that the Cowboys need to show up in the playoffs, someone who simply has “ice in his veins.”