Saints News Network

Top 25 Saints of 2020: No. 15, Wil Lutz

Once upon a time, the Saints had a long, documented history of issues at kicker. That all changed when Wil Lutz showed up.

John Hendrix

Things are heating up across the NFL heading into the weekend. According to several Friday morning reports, the NFLPA reps are set to have a conference call in the afternoon to vote on the latest reopening proposal that came together on Thursday night. As things move forward between the players and the league, the reality is that football is coming. We keep focusing on the top New Orleans Saints players of 2020, and check out our list up to this point.

The Countdown

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New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz (3) screams as he runs from the field after kicking a game wining field goal against the Houston Texans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

No. 15 - Wil Lutz

Wil Lutz was given a five-year contract extension in March prior to the new season, and it was a move that the Saints didn't regret. He started out the season with a bang, taking down Week 1's NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance against the Texans, which included the game-winning 58-yard field goal as time expired. It ended up being the third-longest in team history. Lutz finished second in the NFL in scoring with 144 total points, third in field goals made (32), and made the Pro Bowl in addition to being selected to PFWA's All-NFC team.

In the game against the Bears on Oct. 20, Lutz set the NFL record for consecutive field goals on the road (35), a record that was previously held by Rian Lindell from 2006-2009. His 32 field goals put him into sole possession of the Saints' single-season field goal leader. He missed four attempts during the regular season, all from 40 yards or greater.

Lutz's Outlook in 2020

It goes without saying, but Lutz is crucial to the Saints' successes or failures in the new season. When drives stall, Lutz has proven his dependability on converting points. He can deliver in the clutch, and just needs the opportunity. While touchdowns over field goals are ultimately the desirable outcome, we can all remember the days of the team's kicking carousel where the job couldn't get done.

It's hard to imagine what the team would have looked like over the past few successful seasons without Wil Lutz, and we can only hope the good fortune continues for the Saints. John Harbaugh couldn't have given a better gift to Sean Payton and New Orleans.

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John Hendrix
JOHN HENDRIX

I officially started covering the New Orleans Saints & other NFL topics in 2011. My work has been featured on various outlets over the years. I worked closely with Skyhorse Publishing in Fall 2018 to update the book, Tales From the New Orleans Saints Sidelines, which filled in all Saints material from the 2013-2017 seasons. Prior to joining Saints News Network, I served as the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Canal Street Chronicles for 3.5 years, and before that with FanSided's Who Dat Dish as the Managing Editor for several years. I have also had experiences of being a freelance Saints reporter for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, MS and a contributing writer for WDSU, a local NBC TV station in New Orleans. I have appeared on a vast amount of TV and Radio shows, both nationally and locally. For tips, comments, or suggestions, please contact me at johnhendrix@saintsnews.net