| There have been some intriguing story lines in this | | | | Greenbay Packers in the wild card round of the NFC |
| most recent NFL playoffs. Behind the outstanding play | | | | playoffs. Unlike Keading, his mistake didn't matter, as he |
| of MVP runner up, Drew Brees, the New Orleans | | | | was salvaged by Karlos Dansby's fumble recovery |
| Saints reach their first Superbowl in franchise history, | | | | for a touchdown in overtime. In 14 games in the 2009 |
| Brett Favre leads the Vikings to the NFC title game at | | | | season, Rackers made 16/17 kicks. |
| the age of 40, and the Jets' wonderboy quarterback, | | | | Superbowl XXXXIV presents the kicking matchup of |
| Mark Sanchez, leads his team to a colossal upset | | | | Matt Stover vs. Garrett Hartley. While Stover is a |
| over the highly favored Chargers for a birth in the | | | | veteran currently in his 20th season as an NFL player, |
| AFC title game. | | | | Hartley is in his 2nd season of limited action. However, |
| While quarterbacks tend to steal the spotlight, it's | | | | while Hartley has only attempted 24 field goals in his |
| important to look at a position that, like the offensive | | | | career he has made 22 of them. |
| lineman, is often overlooked. It's tough to be a kicker in | | | | If age is a relevant topic to discuss for a kicker, than |
| the NFL. The only time they get recognition is if they | | | | the edge goes to the 23-year-old Hartley. However, I'm |
| make or miss a game changing kick. One can not | | | | not sure how much of a concern that is for a kicker |
| ignore the fact that kicking has proven to be critical in | | | | (unless they have to make a tackle). Matt Stover is 42, |
| the NFL playoffs this year. Take the Chargers' Nate | | | | making him ancient as a football player, but simply |
| Keading for example. Highly regarded as one of the | | | | "seasoned" as a kicker. That being said, the point is |
| leagues elite kickers, Keading is a former pro bowler | | | | moot. In terms of experience, Stover gets the nod, as |
| who made 32/35 field goals in 2009. Basically, he's the | | | | he has multiple playoff appearances as a member of |
| kind of kicker who most people expect be automatic | | | | the Baltimore Ravens as well as a Superbowl |
| from inside 50 yards. So when the Chargers counted | | | | appearance in 2000, which the Ravens won. |
| on him to put points on the board in the AFC title | | | | Perhaps most importantly though, who has made |
| game, he was sure to convert, right? Well, not exactly. | | | | more clutch postseason kicks this season? Hartley is 2 |
| Keading missed three field goals in that game, | | | | 2, including the game winning 40 yarder in the NFC title |
| matching the total number of kicks that he missed | | | | game that made him an instant celebrity in New |
| throughout the entire regular season. | | | | Orleans. Stover is 5/5 including 3 important conversions |
| Another former pro bowl kicker, Neil Rackers, missed | | | | in the AFC title game. |
| a potential game winning 34 yard chip shot against the | | | | |
