The New England Patriots didn’t get the outcome they were looking for in Week 1, losing to the Las Vegas Raiders 20-13.
Rookie kicker Andres Borregales missed a 40-yard field goal in the second quarter, which loomed large later in the game.
Although the Patriots lost by seven points, making the kick in the second quarter would have given New England a six-point lead going into halftime instead of the three-point lead they took into the break.
Missed field goals have become a significant concern for New England in recent seasons. 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Tony Massarotti highlighted the issue in a stat he posted to X on Monday.
“Patriots have missed 17 field goals (44-for-61) over the last three seasons, second most in the NFL to only the Atlanta Falcons, who have missed 18, but on 20 more attempts (63-for-81).” Massarotti wrote.
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In 2023, Patriots kicker Chad Ryland missed nine field goals. Joey Slye missed seven in 2024 and Borregales missed one on Sunday.
The NFL had four games in Week 1 that were decided by kickers, with two game-winning kicks and two missed field goals.
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