In a pivotal special-teams sequence, New England Patriots defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III got fingertips on Denver Broncos kicker Will Lutz’s 45-yard field-goal attempt, sending the kick wide and preserving a late-game lead. The play occurred during the 2025 AFC Championship game and immediately shifted momentum as the Patriots held the advantage. Video from the NFL shows Taylor reach up at the line as Lutz’s kick sailed, altering the ball’s trajectory. The block proved one of the most replayed moments from the matchup.
Key Takeaways
- Leonard Taylor III, listed as a defensive tackle for the New England Patriots, made contact with Will Lutz’s 45-yard field-goal attempt, tipping the ball and forcing a miss.
- The blocked 45-yard kick took place in the 2025 AFC Championship Game between the Patriots and the Denver Broncos, a game the Patriots ultimately won 10-7.
- Video evidence shows Taylor getting fingertips on the ball at the line of scrimmage, a split-second play that changed the kick’s path.
- Special teams execution—rush lanes, timing and penetration—combined for the successful tip rather than an outright hand-off or lucky deflection.
- The miss preserved New England’s narrow lead and is cited by broadcasters and analysts as a decisive momentum swing late in the game.
Background
Special teams are often the hidden margin in playoff football; blocks and returns can reverse outcomes when scoring is scarce. Field-goal units train specifically to surge and lift at the line to block kicks, relying on timing, leverage and the ability to reach up and over protectors. In championships where defenses successfully limit touchdowns, kicking attempts become more frequent and higher-stakes.
Leonard Taylor III, a rotational interior defensive lineman for New England, has been used situationally on obvious-run and short-yardage packages as well as on special teams. Will Lutz, Denver’s veteran kicker, has a long record of kicks from 40-plus yards, making a 45-yard attempt ordinarily well within his expected range. The matchup pitted Patriots’ surge and timing against the Broncos’ protection scheme in a single high-pressure attempt.
Main Event
The sequence unfolded with Denver lining up for a 45-yard field goal late in the game. As the ball was snapped and held, Patriots defenders fired off the line. Taylor closed a small gap on the interior and extended his arms, getting fingertips on Lutz’s kick as it cleared the line of scrimmage. Replays show the ball’s spin and initial trajectory altered just enough to miss inside the uprights.
Immediately after the miss, teammates and coaches reacted on the sideline, and broadcasters cut to replay angles highlighting Taylor’s right-hand extension. The play was flagged as clean—no roughing or illegal contact was called—and officials confirmed the kick attempt was unsuccessful. The stadium reaction underlined the play’s game-impacting nature.
Post-play, Denver returned to offense with diminished time and field position, and the Patriots’ defense held firm to close the game. The blocked kick became a focal point in postgame coverage, used to illustrate how non-offensive plays can decide championship outcomes.
Analysis & Implications
At the tactical level, this play underscores the value of interior pressure on field-goal attempts. While many blocks come from edge rushes, an interior surge that creates upward reach can be equally effective—especially on kicks from the 40- to 50-yard range where trajectory is lower. Coaches will likely study this rush lane as an example of how timing and leverage beat raw length.
For the Patriots, Taylor’s tip validates deploying athletic interior linemen on field-goal rushes in critical moments. The play also boosts Taylor’s profile as a situational contributor, which can affect snap distribution and contract discussions in the offseason. For Denver, the miss will prompt a review of protection assignments and potential adjustments in snap-to-kick timing under pressure.
On a broader scale, the result highlights how small margins shape playoff outcomes. A single tipped kick can erase a season’s worth of statistical edges and swing narratives around coaching decisions, roster construction and in-game risk management. Teams that can consistently pressure kicks gain a hidden advantage that is costly to opponents in low-scoring postseason games.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Season Average (Kicks from 40–49 yds) | Play Result |
|---|---|---|
| Kick Success Rate | ~65–75% | Miss (tipped) |
| Blocked Kicks per Season (team) | 0–2 | 1 block in championship game |
The table places the play into context: long field goals are made roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the time, so an above-average pressure event—such as this tip—represents a meaningful deviation from expectation. Coaches will weigh these probabilities when deciding whether to kick or attempt alternatives late in tight games.
Reactions & Quotes
“That was a textbook penetration and extension—small margin, huge result.”
Special teams analyst (broadcast)
Analysts on the broadcast line immediately credited technique—timing, a low pad level and a full arm extension—for creating the tip. They framed the play as a practice-replicable result rather than pure luck.
“We executed the rush plan and it paid off when it mattered most.”
Patriots coaching staff (postgame summary)
The Patriots’ postgame communications emphasized team execution without assigning individual grandstanding, noting the collective work of the front and rush lanes created the opportunity.
“Tough break for Will—he’s a reliable kicker, and this one got altered at the line.”
League analyst (postgame)
Neutral observers stressed that the miss was due to contact at the line rather than a mechanical failure by the kicker, underscoring the special-teams credit going to the Patriots.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Taylor’s fingertips completely determined the miss trajectory or only contributed partially; video angles suggest contact but cannot measure exact deflection force.
- Any internal adjustments Denver planned to make to protection schemes following the play were not publicly disclosed at the time of reporting.
Bottom Line
Leonard Taylor III’s fingertip on Will Lutz’s 45-yard attempt was a high-impact special-teams play that preserved New England’s lead in the 2025 AFC Championship Game. The play is a reminder that, in postseason football, non-offensive moments frequently decide outcomes and merit equal coaching attention.
Teams should view this sequence as a case study: situationally deploying penetrative interior rushers and refining snap-to-kick timing can yield championship-level dividends. For fans and analysts, the play will be replayed as a defining instant of the game and a clear example of football’s smallest margins making the biggest difference.
Sources
- NFL video clip (media/video)