Brett Maher chose a bad night to have this.
Maher, the Dallas Cowboys tight end, had a solid regular season. He was 50-of-53 on extra point attempts and made 90.6% of his field goals.
Then on Monday night, he couldn’t hit anything. In the NFC wild-card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Maher missed all three extra points in the first half. That’s as many as he missed in 17 regular season games. According to ESPN Stats and InfoMaher became the first player to miss three extra points in a playoff game.
He then set an NFL record with a fourth down early in the third quarter. The Cowboys jumped out to a 24-0 lead, but Maher had given up four points on the field. In the fourth quarter, the Cowboys attempted a field goal on fourth-and-4, not trusting Maher. They punted and Maher did kick the extra point to end his streak.
The Cowboys won 31-14.
Maher’s first two extra points were deflected. He seemed to overcompensate on his third shot and hooked it wide left. On his fourth shot, it was again wide to the right as it hit the top of the upright leg and looped wide.
“They might be looking for a punter next week,” ESPN color commentator and former Cowboys legend Troy Aikman said after the fourth down.
When Maher missed his third extra point just before the end of the first half, quarterback Dak Prescott was rightfully angry on the sideline.
Prescott: “I’m Money Maher’s Biggest Fan”
After the game, Prescott expressed his support for Maher.
“I’m Money Maher’s biggest fan,” Prescott told reporters. “I spoke with him privately, after the game I said: “leave it, we’ll need it. I just played like s*** a week ago.” It happens.
“Knowing what that guy has done with the flexibility he’s shown throughout his career. Personally, no doubt he’ll be back next week and he’ll be perfect and help us win.”
Team owner Jerry Jones told reporters the team will not be looking for a new forward this week.
“He’s done pretty well,” Jones said.
Maher’s struggles began in Week 18 when he missed his only extra point attempt against the Washington Commanders. He seemed confused Monday night.
According to Elias, no kicker has ever missed four extra points in any game dating back to at least 1932, the beginning of most official NFL statistics. Maher became the first, and it was in a playoff game.
No wonder the Cowboys were disappointed.
