Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz struggled in his first game with the team this season, missing a field goal and an extra point attempt in a game that was ultimately decided by one point.
After that 17-16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, Broncos coach Sean Payton said Lutz would bounce back.
He was right.
Since that game, Lutz has gone 11-of-11 on field goal attempts and 11-of-11 on extra point attempts over the last six games. Against the Green Bay Packers, Lutz’s 52-yard field goal proved to be the difference in a 19-17 win.
“Lutz was big all day, and really ended up being the difference in the game, considering they had a field goal they missed,” Payton said after Lutz went 4-of-4 on field goal attempts against the Packers.
Lutz’s struggles in Week 1 now seem like a distant memory.
“These guys are going to miss — it’s part of the deal — even the great ones,” Payton said. “I think he’s a young, potentially really good kicker, possibly a great one down the road. I like his makeup; it’s why we brought him here. I’ve seen him do it. Obviously, that’s a big kick. He’s had a handful of them. Chicago was very similar. Proud of him and good to see how he’s hitting it. He’s flushing it well.”
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was quick to praise the team’s kicker after the team’s victory.
“How clutch is Wil Lutz?” Wilson said. “He did a great job today. He’s done a great job all year for us. We’ve got great confidence in him. He helped us win the game there.”
Lutz has bounced back exactly the way Denver needed him to.
