In few weeks in NFL history has the surprise onside kick been as crucial as it was in Week 15. In the Meadowlands, the Eagles’ furious fourth-quarter comeback against the Giants happened in part because David Akers executed a surprise onside midway through the fourth quarter. That allowed the Eagles to go from being down 31-17 to 31-24, and Philly completed the epic comeback with a punt return for touchdown as time expired. Akers is now 8-for-18 in successful onside kicks, which is a success rate more than double the NFL norm.
But Akers loses out on this week’s Crazy Kicker award to Green Bay’s Mason Crosby, who successfully executed a surprise onside on the opening kickoff against the Patriots. Nick Collins recovered the kick, which led the Packers not only to an extra possession but to a field goal. Although Green Bay lost 31-27 with a backup quarterback, Crosby’s onside kick was a key play in the game. Plus, Crosby added an extra dash of craziness when one of his kickoffs was returned 71 yards by Dan Connolly – a Patriots offensive lineman. That’s why Mason Crosby is this week’s crazy kicker of the week.
2010 Crazy Kickers of the Week
CFL: WR Dave Stala, Tiger-Cats
Preseason Week 1: P Brett Kern, Titans
Preseason Week 2: PK Robbie Gould, Bears
Week 2: PK Rob Bironas, Titans
Week 5: Punter/holder Dustin Colquitt, Chiefs
Week 7: Punter Reggie Hodges, Browns
Week 8: Punter Steve Weatherford, Jets
Week 9: DT/PK Ndamukong Suh, Lions
Week 10: PK Phil Dawson, Browns
Week 11: Punter Mike Scifres, Chargers
Week 13: PK/Punter Shaun Suisham, Steelers
Week 14: PK Jay Feely, Cardinals
Week 15: PK Mason Crosby, Packers
Football Relativity 