Five Big-Picture Takeaways From Eagles Week 9 Win Vs Cowboys
By Somers Price
3.) Caleb Sturgis is a Capable NFL Kicker
Nov 8, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles kicker Caleb Sturgis (6) celebrates his field goal during fourth quarter of a game Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Eagles won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Despite not being able to kick a touchback on every kick-off, something seemingly every kicker NOT on the Eagles is capable of doing, Caleb Sturgis was a big reason for the Eagles getting out of Dallas with their fourth win of the season. One could argue that, were it not for some questionable pass interference calls towards the ends of regulation, Sturgis’s 53-yard go-ahead field goal with just under two minutes on the clock would have served as the dramatic marquee moment that was eventually replaced by Matthews’s walk-off touchdown grab.
Sturgis is not Dan Bailey. There are a handful of kickers around the league whose range seems to be anywhere on the opponent’s half of the field. Chip Kelly mentioned after the game that Sturgis was just about at his threshold when he lined up for the kick that put the Eagles up three with under two minutes to go. With how much of a discussion the field goal kicking game has been for Philadelphia this season, to see Sturgis calmly knock through the 53-yarder was a welcome sight. There were a lot of heroes in this game. Sturgis deserves to be included in that group.
It isn’t easy to find a top-tier NFL kicker. The Eagles were fortunate in 2014 to swing a deal for Cody Parkey, who arguably possesses that type of talent. Kickers in the NFL are a lot like relief pitchers in baseball. There are a handful of truly great ones, and the group below that seems to shuffle around every spot in the league before calling it a career. There’s nothing wrong with Sturgis being in the latter tier. Chip Kelly’s offensive approach is usually pretty good at moving the ball between the 20s. Because of this, there aren’t many instances where he’s faced with the decision to push his kicker’s threshold. Sturgis came through in a big way Sunday and, at least for a week, made Eagles fans feel a lot better about their kicking situation.