Football World Reacts to Brett Maher’s Missed PAT vs. 49ers

The kicker’s spiral continued during Sunday’s divisional-round matchup in San Francisco.

Whatever Jerry Jones told kicker Brett Maher before Sunday’s game against the 49ers, it didn’t work.

All eyes were on the Cowboys’ embattled kicker after Maher missed a record four extra-point attempts last week against the Buccaneers. Facing San Francisco in the divisional round, Dallas took a first-half lead on a touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to Dalton Schultz. Head coach Mike McCarthy sent Maher to the field for the PAT, which led to an immediate disaster.

The @49ers block the extra point!

📺: #DALvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/WBXF8YHjXz pic.twitter.com/VZmmAkZASN

— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2023

The kick was blocked but appeared to be well off target to the left of the goal post. The 49ers settled for a field goal on the next possession, with Robbie Gould making his second of the game from 26 yards out.

Maher’s miss likely played into McCarthy’s decision-making process on the Cowboys’ ensuing drive. Facing a fourth-and-4 from San Francisco’s 35-yard line, McCarthy left Maher on the sideline and opted to go for it, with Prescott scrambling to pick up the first down. Dallas ultimately came away with no points on the drive, though, after Prescott threw an interception.

Though McCarthy was noncommittal when asked by Fox sideline reporter at halftime whether he would eschew kicking for the rest of the game, he opted to trust Maher with a field goal in the third quarter. Maher was able to put his past struggles behind him and convert the kick from 25 yards out.

After the missed PAT, though, folks on Twitter had a lot of fun making jokes at Maher’s expense after his latest blunder. Check out some of the standouts below.

Brett Maher is the one true must-watch player in the NFL right now

— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) January 23, 2023

Brett Maher when the camera cut to him just now pic.twitter.com/joSTT63dc6

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 23, 2023

That was all on Maher. Ball came off as a knuckleball and sideways 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

— Jay Feely (@jayfeely) January 23, 2023

Oh no.. I fear it’s gonna be a long night for Maher pic.twitter.com/jKQfKRgteT

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 23, 2023

Brett Maher come over, listen to some Steely Dan, drink some scotch and just hang out for a bit

— ¡BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL! (@edsbs) January 23, 2023

Maher can't miss the PAT if the Cowboys don't score. Dak's an elite teammate. Y'all don't know ball.

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) January 23, 2023

Maher misses ANOTHER extra point and they go right to an M. Night Shyamalan preview.

Sick, sick, sick.

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) January 23, 2023