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Harrison Butker looks like the kicker Chiefs fans deserve

By Jacob Milham

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 11: Place kicker Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after kicking a 54-yard field goal against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. . The Chiefs defeated the Cardinals 44-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 11: Place kicker Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after kicking a 54-yard field goal against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. . The Chiefs defeated the Cardinals 44-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker had one of his best games in the team’s regular-season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Entering Saturday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker was far from a sure thing. The six-year veteran was struggling so far in 2022, with a career-low 73.9% field goal percentage entering Week 18.

On top of that, Butker dealt with back spasms and missed practice on Wednesday before returning on Thursday. The spasms were concerning enough that the Chiefs brought back Matthew Wright to be ready against the Raiders.

With Butker listed as questionable, both kickers warmed up, and the Chiefs deemed Butker good to go. His Week 18 performance was improbable but a huge confidence boost ahead of the impending playoffs.

Butker was successful on a 44-yard field goal and all four PATs against the Raiders. It sounds like a routine statline, but that is only the third time this season that Butker has connected on one or more field goals and four or more PATs.

2022 is still not a banner year for Butker, hampered by injury and off-field drama. Butker is still an important player during the postseason. Remember, the Chiefs would not have completed the infamous 00:13 game without Butker’s leg. Any NFL kicker coming through in the clutch is important, but that is amplified during the postseason.

Butker’s 42.9% field goal percentage on kicks longer than 50 yards is still concerning. While his injuries and a blocked kick against the Denver Broncos skew that percentage, the Chiefs cannot count on Butker from range. He missed his lone field goal attempt longer than 50 yards in the 2021 postseason but made two in the 2020 postseason. Butker could very much be kicking for his 2023 roster spot this postseason, especially with his replacement-level production as of late.

With a first-round bye, several Chiefs will have the opportunity to heal up, and that includes Butker. Having Butker at 100% will be a big boost to Kansas City when the team needs him the most.

Next. Four heroes from Week 18. dark

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