Field Goal Block Statistics That Surprise Most Fans
- 01. How often are field goals blocked in football?
- 02. League-wide blocked field goal rates
- 03. Recent trends and spikes in blocks
- 04. How distance affects block probability
- 05. Team and franchise differences
- 06. Impact on coaches and game management
- 07. Who is usually to blame for a blocked kick?
- 08. Illustrative blocked-field-goal data table
- 09. Key factors that increase the chance of a block
- 10. How often is the block a "kicker fault"?
- 11. Potential for defensive touchdowns off blocks
- 12. Historical context and notable blocking seasons
How often are field goals blocked in football?
Across the NFL, roughly 1.6% to 2.5% of all field goal attempts are blocked in a typical season, which translates to about 1 blocked field goal for every 40-60 kicks attempted league-wide. In recent years, that has meant somewhere between 10 and 15 blocked field goals per regular season, with some outlier seasons-such as 2025-seeing spikes into the low-teens through the first six weeks alone.
League-wide blocked field goal rates
Modern NFL data shows that the long-term league average for "field goal got blocked percentage" sits around the low-2% range over multiple seasons. For example, in the 2025 season, several teams had season-long field-goal-attempt-blocked rates between 1.8% and 3.0%, while a handful of franchises hovered near 0.0% thanks to superior special teams protection.
When viewed on a per-game basis, the average NFL team is blocked on about 0.03-0.05 field goals per game, meaning most clubs see a blocked kick once every 20-30 games if they remain near the median. However, notable outliers-such as a team like the Houston Texans or the Philadelphia Eagles over recent seasons-have recorded blocking percentages above 7% in short bursts, although those figures are usually smoothed out over multi-year samples.
Recent trends and spikes in blocks
The 2025 NFL season produced a noticeable spike in blocked field goals and extra points, with nine total kicks blocked through the first three weeks alone-the highest such total since 2016. By Week 6, the league had already tallied 11 blocked field goals, a pace that briefly resembled the 2022 season and underscored how much more disruptive the block has become to game strategy.
On one particularly dramatic Sunday in Week 3 of 2025, the league recorded four blocked field goals in the early slate alone, all occurring in the fourth quarter and directly influencing the outcome of close contests. Analysts at outlets such as Gridiron Data Digest and TeamRankings have noted that while the absolute percentage of blocks remains low, the volatility-where a handful of games cluster several blocks-makes them feel more frequent than raw averages suggest.
How distance affects block probability
The risk of a field goal block rises significantly with kick length. Analytics-driven breakdowns suggest that attempts from 50+ yards are roughly 1.5-2 times more likely to be blocked than kicks inside the 40-yard line, because longer attempts require a lower, flatter trajectory and more time for rushers to penetrate.
At extreme distances-around 60+ yards-some models estimate that the chance of a block climbs toward roughly 7-10% of attempts, assuming standard snap-to-kick timing and average line protection. This is one reason that coaches often weigh not just the odds of a long kick being "good," but also the increased risk of a blocked field goal being returned for a touchdown or major field-position swing.
Team and franchise differences
There is wide variation in blocking rates across franchises. For example, the Houston Texans appeared near the top of the league's "block field goal percentage" table in 2025 with a mark around 10.5%, while several playoff-caliber teams posted 0.0% rates over the same season. This spread reflects differences in special teams schemes, such as the use of long-arm rushers, stunts, and aggressive down-line pressure on the snap.
On the flip side, data labeled "field goal got blocked percentage" shows that teams such as the Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, and Kansas City Chiefs have recently posted seasons with 0.0% vulnerability to blocked kicks, suggesting consistent kick-protection units and disciplined long-snapping. When a team's percentage creeps above 2.5-3.0%, it typically signals recurring issues on the line or at the snap that can be identified in game-film and practice footage.
Impact on coaches and game management
Because blocked field goals are rare but high-impact, they heavily influence coaching decisions in the red zone and in the final minutes. A coach facing a 55-yard attempt, for instance, might be more tempted to "go for it" on fourth down if the team's field goal unit has already been burned once that season.
In the 2024 season, roughly eight blocked field goals were recorded by mid-October, several of which occurred in one-score games and turned near-field-goals into turnovers or defensive scores. As a result, coordinators now routinely adjust their special teams packages-such as using extra linemen or tight-end "wings"-to account for the threat of a block, especially in high-leverage situations.
Who is usually to blame for a blocked kick?
Conventional wisdom among analysts is that most blocked field goals are caused by failures in the line protection or the snap-to-hold timing, rather than the kicker's mechanics. A consistent complaint on message boards and in post-game film rooms is that a long snapper showed a tell on the snap or that a rusher slipped through an unoccupied gap, leaving the tee-line exposed.
That said, there are cases where the kicker's approach or timing can increase the risk. Slower snap-to-kick rhythms-often used to help accuracy-give rushers more time to reach the line, while a slightly flatter ball trajectory can put the flight path within reach of a leaping defender. Teams that study kick-timing data therefore sometimes tweak cadence or formation to compress the window available for a block.
Illustrative blocked-field-goal data table
Below is an illustrative HTML table summarizing realistic blocked-field-goal statistics across a fictionalized but representative NFL season, designed to mirror the structure and ranges seen in existing league data.
| Team | Field Goals Attempted | Field Goals Blocked | Block % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team A | 32 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Team B | 28 | 1 | 3.6% |
| Team C | 22 | 1 | 4.5% |
| Team D | 35 | 2 | 5.7% |
| Team E | 40 | 3 | 7.5% |
| Team F | 25 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Team G | 30 | 2 | 6.7% |
| League Average | 26.4 | 0.6 | 2.0% |
In this representative snapshot, the weakest units hover around 5-7% vulnerability, while the best operate near 0.0% despite similar numbers of attempts. The league-average blocking percentage of 2.0% aligns broadly with actual multi-season data for "field goal got blocked" at the team level.
Key factors that increase the chance of a block
Several situational and technical factors are known to raise the probability of a field goal block:
- Longer distances (50+ yards): Lower, flatter trajectory and more time for rushers.
- Slow snap-to-kick timing: Any extra fractions of a second give defenders more time to penetrate the line.
- Weak long-snapper mechanics: Loose snaps or early handoffs can misalign the line and holder.
- Aggressive line rushers: Certain defensive ends and tackle specialists are coached to "sprint" the line on kicks.
- Non-protection personnel: Teams that don't use an extra lineman or tight end to bolster the line are more exposed.
Analytics-driven teams now track per-snap timing data for each kicker and long-snapper and adjust cadence or formation to minimize the exposed window. Video analysis from programs such as "Gridiron Data Digest" also shows that many blocked kicks begin with a single rushed gap rather than a wholesale collapse of the line.
How often is the block a "kicker fault"?
In the vast majority of cases, the blocked field goal is not scored on the kicker's official statistics as a missed kick; instead it is treated as a failed attempt caused by the rush getting through. Commentators and coaches often note that kicks from the 30-40-yard range that are blocked are usually a reflection of the offensive line's protection rather than the kicker's technique.
Nevertheless, when a kicker adds extra steps to improve accuracy or read the line, that can slightly increase the exposure window. Coaches and special-teams coordinators therefore work closely with their kicking coach to balance precision and timing, especially in high-pressure situations.
Potential for defensive touchdowns off blocks
One of the most devastating outcomes of a blocked field goal is the prospect of a defensive touchdown, which carries the same value as a six-point score. In Week 3 of 2025, two of the four blocked field goals were returned for touchdowns, directly flipping the outcome of two games.
Statistical models estimate that, when a block is cleanly recovered with space, roughly 20-30% of returns result in touchdowns or short-field situations, depending on field position and clock state. This is why defensive staffs now treat the kick-block return alignment as a formal part of their special-teams playbook, rather than a spontaneous reaction.
Historical context and notable blocking seasons
While the absolute number of blocked field goals remains modest in any given season, there have been notable spikes across the league's history. For example, the 2014 season saw seven field goals blocked through the first three weeks, the highest such total at the time and roughly comparable to the 2025 spike.
More recently, the 2022 season finished with 12 blocked field goals, a figure that the 2025 campaign appeared poised to rival or exceed as the year progressed. These peaks are often tied to shifts in special-teams philosophy, with some teams copying successful blocking schemes that prioritize speed and timing over brute-force pass-rushing.
Everything you need to know about Field Goal Block Statistics That Surprise Most Fans
How often is a field goal blocked in the NFL?
Across recent seasons, the NFL's field-goal-attempt-blocked rate has hovered around 1.6% to 2.5%, meaning roughly 1 in 40-60 field goal attempts ends in a block. This translates to roughly 10-15 blocked field goals per regular season, with occasional spikes-such as the 2025 opening weeks-pushing the early-season total into the low-teens.
Are some teams more likely to have their field goals blocked?
Yes. Team-level data shows that certain franchises have "field goal got blocked percentages" near 0.0% for entire seasons, while others have climbed above 3.0% or even 7.0% in recent years. These differences are usually attributable to the quality and design of the kick-protection unit, long-snapper consistency, and whether the club commits extra players to line the snap.
Are blocked field goals counted as missed kicks?
Blocked field goals are officially recorded as missed attempts, but they are typically attributed to the rush penetrating the line rather than to accuracy issues by the placekicker. In box-score and stat-sheet terms, the kicker is charged with a miss, but film analysis and coaching staff usually place the primary fault on the offensive line or the snap-to-hold timing.
Can a blocked field goal be returned for a touchdown?
Yes. When a defender cleanly blocks a field goal and secures possession with space, the result can be a defensive touchdown if the returner reaches the opposite end zone. Analytics work suggests that such returns score in roughly one-quarter to one-third of cleanly blocked attempts, depending on field position and game context.
Do longer field goals get blocked more often?
Longer field goals are more vulnerable to blocks because they fly lower and flatter and take fractionally more time to reach the line. Model-based estimates indicate that attempts beyond 50 yards may be 1.5-2 times more likely to be blocked than shorter kicks, with some analyses pegging the risk at roughly 7-10% for 60-yard attempts under standard conditions.
Is the increase in blocks due to rule changes or strategy?
The recent uptick in blocked field goals and extra points appears driven more by evolving special-teams strategy than by rule changes. Analysts have pointed to teams optimizing their rush angles, snap-to-kick timing, and alignment to maximize the chance of a block, especially after standout performances such as the Eagles' multiple blocked kicks in 2025.
How do coaches prepare for the threat of a blocked field goal?
Coaches and coordinators prepare for blocked field goals by tightening kick-protection packages, using extra linemen or tight ends to bolster the line, and stressing consistent snap-to-kick timing. Film rooms now routinely analyze opponent rush tendencies and alignment, and many clubs have formalized "block-return" formations to turn a clean block into a short-field or even a touchdown-return opportunity.