The Kickers' Clash: Jake Moody's Journey to Super Bowl LIII
Throughout the history of the Super Bowl, the performance of special teams, namely kickers, has often been pivotal in the outcome of the game. This year, the San Francisco 49ers are placing their betting chips on a promising young talent: rookie kicker Jake Moody. As we near Super Bowl 58, Moody's contributions could very well be the linchpin for a 49ers victory.Rookie Kicker at the Helm
Jake Moody stepped into the limelight with an accuracy rate of 84 percent throughout the 2023 season. While this statistic is impressive for a rookie, Moody hasn't been immune to the pressures of the game. He has missed at least one field goal in the last three games leading up to the Super Bowl. Despite these recent missteps, Moody’s overall performance remains promising, especially when viewed through the lens of historical data indicating that rookie kickers have taken to the field in Super Bowl matchups on 11 previous instances.Seasonal Showdown
Standing opposite Moody on Super Bowl Sunday will be Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs, who boasts a 94.3 percent success rate during the 2023 season. This head-to-head adds an extra layer of intrigue to the impending clash. Will Moody's youth and potential be enough to overcome the experience and proven track record of Butker?Confidence in the Crosshairs
Yet, Moody remains undaunted, drawing confidence from a season that saw him successfully navigate the 2023 College Football Playoff with a remarkable 59-yard field goal. With the playoffs under his belt, Moody believes he has the preparation needed for the intensity of the Super Bowl—a sentiment he has expressed with modest assurance.
“I’ve been in a bunch of big games, whether it’s been in college or the NFL now, going through the playoffs. I feel like I’m prepared for it,” Moody asserted via NFL.com, demonstrating his readiness to face the challenge head on.
Taking a philosophical approach to the task ahead, Moody added, “It’s the same kick; Just trust the routine, trust the process. It’s no different than any other kick.” His unwavering belief in his skills has served as his mantra throughout his debut NFL season.
With over 100 million viewers expected to tune in, Moody’s unflappable demeanor will be put to the ultimate test. His confidence extends to the similarity between professional and college settings: “It’s no different than in college. The posts are the same size. Ball is the same. Holder and snapper are just as good, if not better in the NFL.”Past and Present
Reflecting on his formative experiences, Moody recalls the preseason game where he attempted his first NFL field goals at Allegiant Stadium. Though the attempts from 40 and 58 yards were unsuccessful, these early challenges gloss over a nuanced history of rookie kickers in the Super Bowl. Surprisingly, rookie kickers hold an 88.2 percent success rate in these high-pressure games—a stark contrast to the 73.2 percent success rate of veteran kickers.
In the field of rookie success stories is Evan McPherson, who posted an 84.8 percent field goal success rate in 2021. Jake Elliott of the Philadelphia Eagles tied the record for most field goals without a miss in the Super Bowl. Additionally, eight out of ten rookie kickers reportedly improved their accuracy on the sport’s biggest stage. And who can forget Justin Tucker's 100 percent success rate in Super Bowl XLVII?
The statistical anomaly within this trend—specific to the 49ers—illuminates a distant memory: nearly three decades have passed since a rookie kicker from the 49ers missed in the Super Bowl. This time, Moody aims not to repeat history, but to set a new precedent for rookie kickers on the game's grandest platform.
As the Super Bowl matchup nears, all eyes will be on the young kicker hailing from the 49ers. With his proven track record in college and his steady ascension in professional football, Jake Moody stands on the cusp of etching his name in Super Bowl lore. The stage is set for Moody to not only confront the enormity of Super Bowl Sunday but to potentially sway the fate of the championship with his powerful leg and collected mindset.