Jake Elliott lined up to take the kick. At this point, he had done it a whopping eight times at the NFL level before - easy enough. This one was a 50-yard shot, though, and those can be challenging during a prime-time game, when the lights are brightest. The Philadelphia Eagles kicker has faced bigger obstacles than Thursday night's attempt, though. With that, Elliott ran towards the ball and blasted it into the night, through the uprights, and into another stratosphere - just like himself.
The Eagles kicker does it again
The Eagles called upon their kicker about halfway through the first quarter of their game at the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night.
The offense stalled 33 yards shy of the end zone, leaving Elliott with a 50-yard kick to put the team on the board first. He knocked it right through the uprights, giving his team the first points of the game.
After that, however, his night became quieter for a while. It wasn't until around the same time in the third quarter that he was called upon again. The circumstances were almost exactly the same. This time, it was a 48-yard field goal. The result was the same, though: through the uprights and in. That kick put the Eagles up 21-13. He also drilled two extra points for eight total points on the night.
Philadelphia won the game 28-23, meaning Elliott's kicks ultimately made the difference between a win and a loss.
Elliott looks elite already
The new Eagles kicker is off to an incredible start to his career. He's now made the first 12 of the first 14 field goals of his professional career. He has also set several records. Elliott owns the record for longest field goal make in the history of the franchise. That same field goal is also the longest make for any rookie ever.
It's also the 61-yard shot that ended a dramatic victory over the New York Giants, sending the NFC East rivals spiraling.
All of this from a kicker who is already on his second NFL team of his rookie campaign. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. They waived him in favor of Randy Bullock, though, stashing Elliott on the practice squad until the Eagles claimed him; Bullock is 7-of-9 this season with a long of 46 yards.
Elliott still has a long way to go before he is feted in Eagles history. But it's been some time since the team has had a great kicker on the roster. David Akers better watch his back, because the rookie is coming after him fast.
