We are over 75% finished with the inaugural USFL season and it has been a real treat! How have your team's kicker and punter faired? Let's discuss that;
Kickers
Well, it finally happened. The kicking bubble has burst and after seeing kickers make over 75% of their field goal attempts for the past 3 weeks, they will only manage to make 56% of their attempts in Week 8. Let's discuss how the players performed with a look at my (un)Official Week 8 USFL Kicker Power Rankings;
Working top-down;
Brandon Aubrey (BHAM) will remain in the first position even though he had the worst week of his career. Everyone gets one bad game Aubrey, there is yours. I expect you to get back to form next week.
Alright, I've done it. One of the new kickers breaks into the Top 2. Cole Murphy (MICH) will jump a spot after continuing to perform well in his limited time with the league.
Nick Vogel (HOU) has been in a slump for a few weeks now. Since making his season-long 53 yard field goal in Week 4 he has not had a game where he has made 100% of his field goal attempts. He will drop a position this week. He did however complete the first ever onside kick + recover in the USFL!
Luis Aguilar (PHI) will remain perfect on the season and will jump up into the top 4 of our kickers.
Taylor Bertolet (NO) made just 1 of his 3 field goal attempts and went 0 for 1 on PATs this week. That poor performance will force him into the 5th position.
Rausa (TB), Ramiz (PIT), and Jones (NJ) did not impress/disgust me and none deserved to raise or fall this week.
Punters
Wow... Punters didn't do too much this week. I think we are starting to see some players really step up their game. Let's discuss how the players performed with a look at my (un)Official Week 8 USFL Punter Power Rankings;
Working top-down;
Brandon Wright (TB) and Matt White (NO) will continue their fight for the first position in our Power Rankings this week. Brandon will win out because he is getting more yards per punt than White.
Wadman (BHAM) and Miller (NJ) both played above average and will remain where they are on the list.
Max Duffy (PIT) has really impressed me throughout the last couple of weeks. He has consistently improved his average yards per punt (41.8) and added 2 yards to his NET Yards per punt (37.4). He will look to break into the top 4.
The remaining punters did not impress me whatsoever. Galitz (HOU) had the best game of the three. Aguilar (PHI) and Kramer (MICH) both only punted 1 time so they will stay in the 7th and 8th positions.
New Heights
For the THIRD week in a row, we are treated to the USFL Record for the Longest Field Goal was once again broken! Let's take a look at who has raised the bar this week;
PIT Maulers Kicker Ramiz Ahmed kicks a 61 yard FG (LEAGUE RECORD) (PB)
PIT Mauler Punter Max Duffy punted for a NET Avg. of 37.4 (Personal Best)
HOU Gamblers Punter Andrew Galitz punted for a long of 59 yards (Personal Best)
MICH Panthers Punter Kyle Kramer punted for a NET Avg. of 34.4 (Personal Best)
NJ Generals Kicker Austin Jones kicks a 50 yard FG (Personal Best)
PHI Stars Punter Luis Aguilar punted for a long of 50 yards (Personal Best)
Thank you for making it this far in my article! Please let me know what you think about the article through the contact page! Have a good day everyone :)