Jake Moody Needs a Bounce Back Performance Against the Vikings
What a brutal ending for the 49ers in their loss to the Browns in Week 6.
Despite playing an all around poor game, they were still in it in the final moments of the game. All they needed was for rookie kicker Jake Moody to nail a 41 yard field goal. Those are practically a given for kickers. Unfortunately for the 49ers, Moody shanked it by missing wide right. The range was perfect, but the accuracy was not.
It was the second missed field goal of the game from Moody with both being misses to the left and right of the goalposts. That would indicate that Moody was in his own head. It would make sense since the atmosphere was electric. The Cleveland fans were definitely roaring mighty that day and the game was close from start to finish. Moody had to have felt immense pressure on his shoulders. Still, he deserves his share of the blame for the loss.
You can argue that the 49ers should've ran one more play to get the field goal attempt closer since they could've afforded it with one timeout in their pocket. But it's not like they were asking Moody to make a 60 yard field goal. It was a 41 yard field goal for crying out loud, and missing that is unacceptable as opposed to the 54 yard one he missed in the first quarter. I believe there is valid concern now with the mindset of Moody.
How does he fair the rest of the season now? His confidence could be shaken from that game knowing he cost his team the game with their first loss of the season. It can create a snowball effect that only causes him to plummet. That is why Moody needs a bounce back performance against the Vikings.
A couple of field goals in an easy setting in a dome should reassure him that he is fine. It might not solve everything because I doubt there will be a moment in that game where the pressure matches the one in Cleveland. But the more field goals he can make, the more he buries his abysmal outing in Week 6. It all starts on Monday Night Football in Minnesota. What cannot happen for him is he misses again, especially from a makeable range like 40 yards.
Should that happen, then I think the worst case scenario becomes reality for Moody. The 49ers would have to start considering making a move at kicker after that. Maybe not immediately after, but they'll certainly have to start making contingencies. The last thing the 49ers will do is cap their Super Bowl aspirations because of their kicker having the yips. Robbie Gould anyone?
It's all on Moody now. Week 7 is the first major step for him to start to put his last performance behind him.
