NEW ORLEANS — As the Super Bowl approaches, two players on the field could significantly influence the game’s outcome while hoping to remain relatively unseen. The punters for the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, Braden Mann and Matt Araiza, take center stage only when things go awry for their respective offenses.
In an ideal scenario for Mann, he hopes to limit his participation to simply holding for kicker Jake Elliott. “The best-case scenario is I don’t play in the game except holding for Jake,” Mann shared. If either punter is called into action, it typically signifies a stalled offensive drive, a situation both players would rather avoid. Their roles as holders for field goals or extra points might only draw attention if a mistake occurs, reminiscent of Tony Romo’s infamous fumbled snap during a critical moment in a wild-card game in 2006.
Historical context reveals the profound impact that kickers have had on previous Super Bowl outcomes. Five Super Bowls have been decided by a field goal in the last ten seconds, with last year’s game stretching into overtime after Kansas City’s Harrison Butker successfully made a last-minute 29-yard kick to tie the game. The Chiefs claimed victory with a touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Mecole Hardman in overtime. Earlier in 2023, Butker’s decisive 40-yard field goal with mere seconds left led the Chiefs to a narrow win over the Eagles.
The importance of the kicking game can’t be overlooked, highlighted by instances such as the 2004 Super Bowl where the Patriots triumphed over the Panthers with Adam Vinatieri’s last-second 41-yard field goal. The significance of a successful kick has been demonstrated repeatedly, including Jim O’Brien’s game-winning field goal for the Colts in Super Bowl V and Scott Norwood’s heartbreaking miss in 1991, which resulted in the Giants securing a victory over the Bills.
Behind every successful kick lies the crucial role of the long snapper, a job held by Rick Lovato for the Eagles and James Winchester for the Chiefs. A perfect snap is essential, as is the holder’s ability to catch and accurately place the ball. Mann emphasized the intricacies of holding, noting, “Holding is a lot more intricate and hopefully it looks easy. I probably work on holding 40% of the time in the offseason because points are what matters most in games.”
For Araiza, this season marks his debut as a holder. He quickly grasped the role’s significance, stating, “You’re almost better off having a bad punting game than you are having a bad holding game because it’s points. The expectation is to be perfect every time.” He described the high stakes associated with holding, comparing it to the pressure of snapping the ball. Both players dedicate considerable time to refining their skills to ensure they are adequately prepared for game day.
Every kicker has distinct preferences for how they like the ball placed, and there’s little room for error, especially with opposing players rushing to block the kick. Butker mentioned the need for communication, explaining, “Every kicker is a little bit different. They might want the ball more straight down, leaning forward, more leaning back.” He also acknowledged how external conditions, like wind, can affect a kicker’s needs.
As the Superdome offers perfect conditions for kicking, execution on the part of the long snappers and holders will be critical. While star players like Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, and Jalen Hurts often capture the spotlight, the pivotal moments of the game might hinge on the interplay between Winchester, Araiza, and Butker, or Lovato, Mann, and Elliott delivering crucial kicks when it matters most.
