Nick Folk Misses 38-Yard Field Goal in Madrid Loss
Falcons kicker's miss was his first from inside 40 yards since 2017, leaving coach Kevin Stefanski non-committal on roster changes.
By Pedro Barnes ·
Nick Folk's 38-yard field goal attempt went wide left during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game in Madrid. The miss marked the first time the 42-year-old kicker has failed from inside 40 yards since October 5, 2017. He dropped his eyes toward the grass and placed his hands on his knees after the kick sailed past the uprights.
The Falcons lost the contest 34-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Folk connected on a 31-yard field goal and both extra point attempts in the loss. His performance in Madrid added to a recent string of struggles that has raised questions about his reliability.
Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the kicker's performance in a postgame press conference. He declined to commit to a change at the position, focusing instead on the current moment. "It's just kicks, kicks. We're not making any real decisions. This is this, to be," Stefanski said.
Stefanski noted that the team has not yet secured a win at home since the offseason. He emphasized the need for consistency rather than immediate personnel adjustments. "We've got to be confident in the guy we have. He's got additional ability and can make mistakes. He's got to be consistent and confident forward," the coach explained.
Folk's career field goal percentage stands at 81.2 percent on 140 attempts. He has missed only one field goal in the current season. However, his accuracy has dipped in high-pressure situations, including fourth-quarter attempts in close games. He has also missed two of his last three extra point attempts this year, including a kick against the Houston Texans in Week 14.
Falcons wide receiver Drake London commented on Folk's experience. "He's a veteran, he's been around the team for nine years. I think he's been a consistent presence in the locker room for him," London said. The kicker has played for the team since 2017 and is currently in the second year of a two-year extension worth $9.1 million.
Stefanski indicated that the coaching staff will continue to evaluate the kicker's performance. He suggested that more misses in future games could lead to a reevaluation. "But he's still struggling, so I'm not going to get ahead of myself. If he makes a miss, we may move. If not, we continue. No confidence change, still Sunday," Stefanski added.
