[The Special One]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

So, the kicker is going to kick it 67 yards through the end zone? I don't think so. He's got to make the FG. When a team is close enough that the kicker can kick it through the end zone, the kicker doesn't miss too many field goals. Teams give up single points earlier in the game because it almost always makes more sense to give up a point and get the ball on the 35, rather than starting on your own 5 or 10 yard line.

The scenario you talk about can happen, but it really is quite rare. I was at a game in Calgary about 4-5 years ago where it did happen, the game was tied, Toronto drove the ball to roughly the 20 yard line, and then lined up for a FG on the last play. I don't think the kicker even tried to aim for the uprights. But really, it probably only happens once every 4-5 years, at most.

Even with gaining a single point, missing a FG actually benefits the kicking team VERY rarely. Missing a short kick and gaining a single point "benefits" the kicking team, but really, they've LOST two points with the miss, instead of gaining one. On longer kicks, teams giving up singles do so because they think it benefits them, therefore it isn't benefitting the kicking team.

I was at that game too. He didn't even try to hit the FG. I think it might have actually been a punt that they lined up for.