By admin 
“Monday Night Football” loss raises questions about the young kicker’s future
A Tough Night in Santa Clara
The San Francisco 49ers endured a heartbreaking defeat against the Detroit Lions on “Monday Night Football,” falling 40-34. Despite holding a commanding 21-13 lead at halftime, the 49ers struggled to maintain momentum as the Lions staged a determined second-half comeback. The loss brought San Francisco’s record to 6-10 for the season and cast a shadow over several individual performances, including that of kicker Jake Moody.
Moody’s Struggles Highlighted
Jake Moody’s night was one to forget, with the young kicker missing two field goal attempts—measuring 51 and 58 yards—as well as an extra point. These mistakes contributed significantly to the narrow loss and added to what has been an uneven season for the 49ers’ third-round draft pick. Moody entered the game having made 23 of 30 field goal attempts this year but left facing renewed scrutiny.
After the game, Moody addressed his challenges candidly. “Definitely, probably one of the lowest times in my career dating back to when I first started football,” he admitted to reporters. Despite the setback, he emphasized the importance of maintaining resilience: “Confidence, you know, gotta keep it high. You got no other choice as a kicker. You gotta keep staying confident in yourself, otherwise, you got nothing.”
A Helping Hand from Teammates
Amid Moody’s struggles, his teammates offered support. At the close of the first half, tight end George Kittle was seen encouraging Moody on the sidelines in an effort to bolster his morale. However, even Kittle’s pep talk couldn’t prevent the fan backlash that followed. Social media erupted with calls for the 49ers to part ways with Moody after the season.
The missed extra point was particularly striking as it marked his first failure in that category this year. This lapse, coupled with his earlier misses, underscored the mounting pressure on the young kicker.
A Promising Career Hit a Rough Patch
Moody’s current difficulties stand in stark contrast to his stellar collegiate career at Michigan, where he achieved a 69-for-84 field goal record and remained perfect on extra points with 148 conversions. He was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, a testament to his talent and potential. His highlight reel includes a record-breaking 55-yard field goal in last year’s Super Bowl.
Despite these accolades, the present season has been anything but smooth