It is a touchdown or nothing for the Washington Commanders offense. They have not got much use out of kicker Joey Slye three weeks into the season.
Slye has yet to attempt a field goal this season. There have been 33 kickers in the NFL to try a field goal this season. Slye is the only placekicker not to attempt a field goal. Two Kansas City Chiefs kickers attempted at least one field goal this season.
Slye technically attempted a field goal in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles. But an unnecessary roughness penalty against the Eagles nullified Slye’s 47-yard field goal. Trailing 24-0 in the third quarter, the Commanders took the automatic first down instead of the points. Washington turned the ball over on downs four plays later.
Sometimes not kicking field goals is a good thing. That means you’re scoring touchdowns, right? The Commanders have scored nine touchdowns, including six in the red zone. Yet, Slye has only attempted four extra points.
Washington fell behind 22-0 in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions. Then 24-0 against the Eagles. Washington played the catch-up game and sometimes opted to go for it on 4th down or two-point conversions after touchdowns during both games.
Statistics can get skewed to fit any narrative. Yet, Slye not attempting a field goal and four extra points may illustrate the ‘boom or bust’ aspect of the Commanders’ offense.
More must-reads: