Joe Gibbs didn’t hesitate. With the ball a few inches from a first down, and a 46-yard field goal no sure thing, Gibbs opted for the conservative route. It turned out to be the wise one.
And, considering the roll Shaun Suisham was on, it clearly was the only choice.
“That was,” said Gibbs, afraid of a penalty if they went for a first down, “an opportunity to win it.”
Suisham then drilled the 46-yarder through the uprights, capping a 23-20 overtime win over New York. It’s his second overtime field goal of the season. His 39-yarder beat Miami in the season opener.
“That’s whyyou spend so much time kicking the ball in practice,” he said, “for that opportunity.”
But Suisham had not kicked well lately, having missed three of his last five attempts. However, he tied a team record Sunday, making all five of his field goals — including four from 40 yards or more.
“Whether I miss a kick or make a kick, I stay with the same mindset,” Suisham said. “I had a couple kicks and I don’t let it turn into anything more than that. It was a couple missed kicks and I go from there.”
Before his final attempt, Jets coach Eric Mangini called a timeout just before the snap. Suisham said it had no affect.
“Kicking is a pretty simple skill if you’re doing it well,” he said. “I try not to over-think what I’m doing. It’s as simple as kicking the ball and kicking it straight.”
