Cowboys' Brett Maher has extra-point attempt blocked as woes continue; Texas Gov. Abbott leads the reactions
Maher has missed five of his last six extra-point attempts
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Brett Maher’s extra-point kicking woes traveled with him on the Dallas Cowboys team plane from Tampa Bay to the Bay Area.
Maher infamously missed four straight extra points after Cowboys touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week in the wild-card round of the playoffs, which led Dallas to look into potential replacement options.
Head coach Mike McCarthy might have to think about going for two again if his team scores another touchdown, as Maher once again couldn’t convert the extra point to make it 7-3 in the first half.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON foxnews.1eye.us
Brett Maher of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on Jan. 22, 2023, in Santa Clara, California. (Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images)
And while this one was blocked, replay showed that Maher didn’t kick it from the left hash properly. Off his foot, the ball seems to be shanked to the left already before a San Francisco 49ers player gets his hand on it for the block.
Maher has now missed five of his last six extra-point attempts. NFL Network pointed out that only eight extra points have been blocked this season, including the playoffs.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}EMBATTLED COWBOYS KICKER BLOCKED FROM PRACTICE TRIES BY 49ERS PLAYERS IN CHIPPY PRE-GAME ALTERCATION
Maher’s struggles have gotten Cowboys fans livid, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
"I swear, I can kick as good as the Dallas Cowboys kicker," he tweeted.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Brett Maher of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after missing an extra point against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFC wild-card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 16, 2023, in Tampa, Florida. (Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)
The Cowboys could once again be forced to take placekicking out of their game plan, which is never a good thing for an offense.
TOM BRADY FINED FOR SLIDE-TACKLE ATTEMPT DURING PLAYOFF LOSS: REPORT
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott was even seen last week screaming on the sideline after Maher continued to miss following the offense’s tough drives that resulted in six points.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}While it was a blowout in Tampa Bay, sometimes extra points can be the difference between a win or a loss. With this being the playoffs, every point counts.
Brett Maher of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on Jan. 22, 2023, in Santa Clara, California. (Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images)
That's why no one could blame McCarthy going for it on 4th-and-4 at the two-minute warning in the first half despite being in Maher's field goal range. Prescott would end up running for the first down to keep the drive going, but will McCarthy continue to go for it in these situations moving forward?
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He will have to think long and hard about what he wants to do not just on the Cowboys’ next touchdown but every field goal decision moving forward in this win-or-go-home matchup.