Unlocking the Secrets Behind the Untold Story That Could Change Everything

Ever get the feeling that the NFL’s special teams are staging a little mutiny? For weeks, kickers had been treating field goals like a leisurely stroll in the park—sixty-yard attempts were suddenly a breeze, and kickers morphed into the undisputed stars of special teams. But then, out of nowhere, Week 3 came crashing down like a thunderbolt. Suddenly, field-goal block units emerged from the shadows, swatting down attempts like they’d just remembered they’re the real guardians of the gridiron. Five blocks in one Sunday? That’s not just a stat; it’s almost a throwback party, the most we’ve seen in nearly two decades! What sparked this sudden surge? A fierce focus on hammering the middle of the line—and some outright acrobatics by players like Will McDonald IV, who practically flew over the blockers. It’s a reminder that in football, nothing’s ever really a gimme—not even a field goal. Curious how this renaissance is reshaping the early 2025 season? LEARN MORE.

The five blocks on Sunday are one away from the most in one single day during the NFL season. They’re also the most we’ve had in a day in more than 19 years.

This was the week that the field-goal block units across the NFL fought back.

Many insisted that field goals had become too easy in the league. Sixty-yard field-goal attempts were the new 40-yard tries. Kickers were legged with more power and had become the superstars of special teams everywhere.

Through two weeks, NFL kickers made 31-of-37 attempts from 50 or more yards – including three makes from 60+ yards. The 83.8% success rate from 50+ was even better than the 81.1% (30 of 37) rate from 40-49 yards.

And the three 60+ yarders – Brandon Aubrey’s make was good from 64 – put the league easily on pace for the most 60 yarders we’ve ever had in a season. There were just four last season, five in 2023, six in 2022 and three in 2021.

But in Week 3 of the 2025 season, the field-goal block units had their say. Kickers went just 8 of 13 (61.5%) from 40-49 yards, 10 of 16 (62.5%) and had five field-goal attempts blocked heading into Sunday Night Football.

The five blocks on Sunday are one away from the most in one single day. They’re also the most we’ve had in a day in more than 19 years.

So what gives? Well, special teams coaches seem to be emphasizing attacking the middle of the line. Four of the five blocks on Sunday came from up the middle after teams squeezed and stormed the line with a whole bunch of pressure.

Or, in Will McDonald IV’s case, just leaping over the front of the line. But they weren’t simply just blocked kicks – some of them were game-changing big plays.

Up 26-7, the Los Angeles Rams were seemingly on their way to an impressive rout of the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles before having two fourth-quarter field goals blocked – including a last-second attempt that Jordan Davis blocked and returned for a touchdown.

EAGLES BLOCK THE KICK AND JORDAN DAVIS SCORES A TOUCHDOWN BECAUSE WHY NOT pic.twitter.com/XNcYthVUMm

— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025

The New York Jets nearly made a similar comeback, sparked by a blocked kick. Down 23-6, the Jets closed to within six in the fourth quarter before McDonald jumped the line, batted the ball down and returned it for a go-ahead score. Unfortunately for New York, Baker Mayfield led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers down the field and Chase McLaughlin was able to get the 36-yarder off as time expired for a 29-27 win.

After the Browns had clawed their way back from a 10-0 deficit late in the fourth quarter, the Packers appeared to be in position to knock down the winning kick with 27 seconds left. But Cleveland blocked the attempt, and Joe Flacco led the team 17 yards the other way to set up Andre Szmyt’s walk-off field goal.

Kickers were having a moment early in the 2025 NFL season, but Sunday was the field-goal block unit’s time to shine.

Research support provided by Jeff Mangurten and Chase Weight. Follow along on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook and X for more.

The post No More Gimmes: Week 3 Marked the Revenge of the Field-Goal Block Units appeared first on Opta Analyst.