For 20 years, former Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood has been the gold standard of NFL playoff goats.
In the closing moments of Super Bowl XXV (1991), between the championship-starved Bills and the New York Giants, Norwood missed a 47-yard field goal wide right as time ran out, giving the Giants the victory.
Billy Cundiff’s boom or bust attempt yesterday was a bit different. The Ravens were looking to get to a Super Bowl, not win one. But it was also a much easier boot for Cundiff from 32-yards out.
“It’s a kick I’ve kicked probably 1,000 times in my career and I went out there and just didn’t convert,” Cundiff said. “That’s just the way things go. There’s really no excuse for it, just didn’t go through.”
Prior to the attempt, Ravens wide receiver Lee Evans had possession of the ball in the corner of the end zone and a catch would have given the Ravens a 26-23 lead. But Patriots corner Sterling Moore got his hand in at the last possible moment to strip Evans of the ball.
