Week 1 is in the books for the Atlanta Falcons, and in case you missed it, the Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers played each other tough, with a final score of 20-23 and Tampa taking the win. Falcons\u2019 quarterback Michael Penix Jr. led a late drive for the Falcons to potentially tie the game and go to overtime, but Younghoe Koo missed a 44-yard field goal wide right, costing the Falcons an opportunity to win the game in overtime.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the game, Koo doinked an attempt off the crossbar that luckily bounced in and then messed up a kick-off causing the Bucs to get the ball at their own 40-yard line due to Koo missing the \u201clanding zone.\u201d These issues add to an overall issue Koo has been having in the kicking game going back at least to the 2024 season, where he made 12 of his last 20 attempts, and is 9 for his last 16 indoors, which the Falcons obviously play indoors.<\/p>\n
Following Sunday\u2019s game, a frustrated Koo reportedly left the locker room before media members were allowed in. The NFL rules dictate that all players must be available to the media following games. On Monday, Koo spoke with the media.<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout the game with that turf, I was kind of hitting the ground a little bit,\u201d Koo said via ESPN\u2019s Marc Raimondi<\/a>. \u201cSo, I tried to make an adjustment, which I have done multiple times, and I just made the wrong kind of adjustment at that time, and I know what to do. But it\u2019s just frustrating. I know better than that and I just got to do a better job.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked about being emotional after the kick, Koo added \u201cI mean, every point really matters in this league and we\u2019ve been in this situation so many times and the frustration just came out of just disappointment in myself with knowing that I know I\u2019m better than that. And on top of that, letting the guys down. Unfortunately we\u2019ve been having this conversation just more than I would like to, but I think it was just those kinds of things just showing up.\u201d<\/p>\n With the loss, many, including myself have been confused as to why the Falcons have not brought in any actual competition for Koo in recent years. On Monday, head coach Raheem Morris shed a light on what to expect this week.<\/p>\n Morris added, per Josh Kendall<\/a> of The Athletic, that \u201cYou have to say (Koo is the kicker) right now, but we\u2019ll work out some veterans, we\u2019ll work out some up-and-comers.\u201d Morris called Lenny Krieg, who is on the practice squad, a \u201cdeveloping prospect\u201d but indicated he would have a chance to compete.<\/p>\n The Falcons signed German-born Lenny Krieg, after an impressive NFL combine in which he made 14 of 14 field goal attempts. Krieg is a solid young prospect, but obviously lacks in-game experience. We shall see, likely on Tuesday, who the Falcons bring in and who they possibly sign to compete.<\/p>\n With a lot of struggles last year and literally in Week 1 of this season, I\u2019d be shocked if they don\u2019t make a move. In the past speaking with Falcons\u2019 legends Morten Andersen<\/a> and Matt Bryant, they both have stressed how important it is for a kicker to keep their confidence. Once they no longer have that, struggles will follow. In my opinion, Koo\u2019s confidence has been lost since last season, which puzzles me why they didn\u2019t address that this offseason and waited until a Week 1 loss against their only legit divisional competition to now address it.<\/p>\n Fans and the media are seemingly out on Koo, so their hand is forced. A move is likely coming soon, but but for now, Koo is still the kicker.<\/p>\n