Seahawks continue to benefit from opponents’ missed field goals

The Seattle Seahawks may have had horrendous fumble luck against the Carolina Panthers, but their win in Charlotte likely doesn’t happen if Graham Gano didn’t miss his final field goal attempt on the afternoon. Gano went wide right from 51 yards out with less than two minutes, opening the door for Russell Wilson to make his big play to Tyler Lockett and set up Sebastian Janikowski for his second game-winning FG of the season.

Opposing kickers have not fared particularly well against the Seahawks. If you recall, Janikowski’s other game-winner came against the Arizona Cardinals, right after Phil Dawson similarly missed wide right from 45 yards with the score tied. Dawson had also missed at the end of the 1st half, essentially offsetting Seabass’ own misses.

Counting Sunday’s result, opposing kickers are just 15/21 (71.4%) on the year. Cleveland Browns opponents entered this week at 15/21, but are now 15/22 after Randy Bullock missed one for the Cincinnati Bengals. So barring something weird, Seahawks opponents have the fourth-lowest FG percentage on the season.

Seattle has also seen its opponents miss three extra points, although that hasn’t been as critical as the field goals. Lest we forget Mason Crosby’s miss early in the Green Bay Packers win in the previous week. Between the Cardinals, Panthers, and Packers, those are three instances of the Seahawks winning by three points while the opposing kicker missed at least one field goal. Hell, even in the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Seahawks were still hanging in close because Caleb Sturgis couldn’t make anything, and it cost him his job.

If the Seahawks make the playoffs, these are pivotal moments to look back on. Janikowski has done his part with two game-winners, while his counterparts have faltered in key situations.