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WATCH: Jake Elliott Matches His Own Record, Solidifies Himself as GOAT Eagles Kicker

By Jason Schandl

Jake Elliott solidified himself as the greatest kicker in Eagles history by matching his own record with a 61-yard field goal. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Elliott solidified himself as the greatest kicker in Eagles history by matching his own record with a 61-yard field goal. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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David Akers fans, close this now.

What do you call a guy who has the two longest field goals in franchise history and a higher career percentage of made field goals than a franchise’s previous GOAT?

You call him Jake Elliott, greatest kicker in Philadelphia Eagles history.

Jake Elliott Record-Setting Field Goal

Rather than risking a turnover or injury by trying a futile Hail Mary, the Eagles decided to trot out Jake Elliott with time expiring to end the second quarter. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell even tried to ice Elliott.

Big mistake.

This of course brought fans back to the last time Elliott hit a 61-yarder, then breaking Tony Franklin’s franchise record of 59 yards set back in 1979.

Spending 12 years in Philly made David Akers a fan favorite. He was consistently very good, and he made four Pro Bowls and won an NFC Championship with the Eagles. But let’s not let nostalgia cloud or memory.

Akers had a stretch of three straight seasons below 80% from 2005 to 2007 (72.7%, 78.3% and 75.0%). He was a career 82.4% on field goals as an Eagle, and under 50% (15/32) from 50-plus.

Elliott doesn’t attempt quite as many hard kicks as Akers had to (18.6% of Elliott’s attempts are from 50-plus, 23.6%), but he’s got a big edge in career field goal percentage, making 85.0% so far, which includes going 67.7% from 50-plus.

Elliott only has one season below 80%, which puts him on pace for two if he matches Akers’ 12 years in Philly, and he also has a season over 90%, which is something Akers never did.

I know it can feel like Elliott is costing us sometimes — the extra-point struggles early in his career (and in Week 1 this year) were frustrating. But Akers also never had to deal with the extended extra point that Elliott has. And being able to make 50-yarders consistently is a lot more valuable than an edge of a few percentage points on XPs.

I love David Akers, but anyone trying to deny Elliott’s GOAT status is just stuck in nostalgia.

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