In the run-up to Super Bowl 58, the San Francisco 49ers may be poised to benefit from the fresh energy and considerable skills of their rookie kicker, Jake Moody. With an accuracy rate of 84 percent over the 2023 NFL season, Moody has proven to be a reliable option for the 49ers despite experiencing a minor setback, missing at least one field goal in the final three games leading up to the Super Bowl.
While Moody’s statistics are formidable, particularly for a rookie, they will be weighed against the highly impressive 94.3 percent success rate of seasoned Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. Yet, there exists an intriguing narrative around rookie kickers who ascend to the high-pressure stage of Super Bowl games. Intriguingly, of the 11 rookie kickers who have participated in Super Bowls before him, a majority improved their accuracy when it mattered most.
Rookie Resilience and Historical Precision
History seems to favor the young kickers in these championship settings. Interestingly, rookie kickers have not only outperformed their nerves but have also outshined their veteran counterparts, with an 88.2 percent success rate in Super Bowl games compared to a 73.2 percent rate for non-rookies. The confident demeanor of Moody radiates not only from his words but also from these encouraging statistics.
One need only look back one year to find Evan McPherson, who had a field goal success rate of 84.8 percent in 2021. Moody’s percentage is comparable, and it suggests that he may continue the trend of rookies stepping up when the bright lights shine. Jake Elliott’s memorable performance is another testament to rookie kickers excelling on the Super Bowl stage; he tied the record for most field goals without a miss during the Super Bowl. Moreover, eight out of ten rookies have managed to hone their accuracy further during their Super Bowl debut.
Highlighting the exceptional performances of rookies in Super Bowls past, Justin Tucker’s flawless performance with a 100 percent success rate in Super Bowl XLVII is particularly inspiring. The last time a rookie kicker missed a field goal at the Super Bowl was nearly three decades ago—coincidentally it was a miss by a 49ers rookie, thus Moody has the opportunity to write a new chapter for the rookie kickers’ fraternity and for the 49ers.
Confidence Despite the Pressure
Moody, calm and collected in his statements, seems to embody the resilience and focused attitude necessary for such an undertaking. His comments to NFL.com reveal a player unbothered by the grand scale of the event. “I’ve been in a bunch of big games, whether it’s been in college or the NFL now, going through the playoffs. I feel like I’m prepared for it,” Moody maintained. He stands behind a simple philosophy under pressure: “It’s the same kick; Just trust the routine, trust the process. It’s no different than any other kick.”
Moreover, Moody’s confidence is not baseless bravado. His experience in the 2023 College Football Playoff is emblematic of his capacity to rise to the occasion; a 59-yard field goal in such a tournament substantially underlies his potential for making the pivotal plays necessary in the Super Bowl.
Moody further draws on the continuities rather than the disparities between college and professional football. “It’s no different than in college,” he said. “The posts are the same size. The ball is the same. Holder and snapper are just as good, if not better in the NFL.”
His journey in the NFL began with some challenges. Moody's initial performance at Allegiant Stadium during preseason—where he missed two field goals from the 40 and 58 yards—could have set a discouraging precedent. Yet, he has manifested a robust turnaround since then, proving his early misses to be mere hiccups in what has been a promising start to his NFL career.
The Kick to Glory
As the 49ers prepare for the Super Bowl, Moody represents a curious talent wherein his leg might turn the tide of the game in favor of San Francisco. If the patterns, of rookies shining in the Super Bowl, continues to hold true, Jake Moody may very well become a distinguished member of an elite group of kickers who have successfully tackled the pressures that come with the NFL's most significant game. Rookie or not, in Super Bowl 58, Jake Moody is undoubtedly a player to watch.