3 things the Saints need to fix before Wild Card Weekend

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 03: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints prepares to take the snap during the second half of their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Long Field Goal Accuracy

Wil Lutz has consistently been one of the best kickers in the NFL. His accuracy percentage and perennially been over 85 percent. However, this year, he has dropped below that career average and most of his misses have come from beyond 40 yards.

He has taken 28 field goals on the year and made 82 percent of them. Between 1-19 yards, Lutz hasn’t taken a field goal. From 20-29 yards, Lutz is 5/6. From 30-39 yards, Lutz is a perfect 10/10, and from 40+ yards, Lutz is 1/3.

As you can see, from the average field goal length, Lutz is automatic at 10/10, but when you go longer than 40 yards, Lutz has trouble hitting those. For the Saints to have a shot at the Super Bowl, Lutz is going to have to hit long field goals that could win games.

The other part of Lutz’s accuracy isn’t really a problem. He is 57/58 from extra points. Those have proven to win games, and for the Saints, they are going to need all the help they can get as they move forward toward the Super Bowl.

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