Michael Dickson's NFL nightmare continues with second blunder in two weeks
For the second consecutive week, Australian NFL punter Michael Dickson has found himself at the centre of a nightmare failed punt attempt.
With 54 seconds left in the third quarter and Dickson’s Seattle Seahawks leading the Arizona Cardinals 12-3, the 26-year-old Sydney native was set to punt the ball from deep within his own end zone.
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Unsurprisingly, the Cardinals brought pressure, with Dickson appearing to make a split-second decision to tuck the ball in order to avoid his punt getting blocked by the Arizona rushers bearing down on him.
However, the move proved to be in vain, with Dickson hit hard by the Cardinals’ Ezekiel Turner, causing him to fumble the ball. Arizona’s Chris Banjo pounced on the loose ball, recovering it for a Cardinals touchdown.
The error saw plenty of criticism directed Dickson’s way by fans and pundits on social media.
A week earlier, the five-year NFL veteran also drew the ire of fans when he took off on a fake punt attempt, which also resulted in him being tackled and fumbling the football.
While Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll admitted the previous week’s error was down to Dickson’s own decision-making, he blamed this mistake against the Cardinals on a missed assignment from Dickson’s punt protection.
“We missed a pick miserably, from what I understand,” Carroll told reporters post game.
“I haven’t had a look at it yet, but I was talking to the (special teams) coaches and we missed someone.”
So...Michael Dickson has had a fumble on a punt 2 weeks in a row.
Didn't he used to be great?— Jess Root (@senorjessroot) October 16, 2022
this is the second straight week where Michael Dickson has had a play where he just, didn't punt, holding onto the ball and getting tackled with disastrous consequences. He's on his Bartleby the Scrivener right now, he would prefer not to punt https://t.co/4vvb8uG5y0
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) October 16, 2022
Dickson what is going on. Touchdown Cardinals because of poor special teams yet again.
— Field Gulls (@FieldGulls) October 16, 2022
WTF were you thinking, Michael Dickson?!
You just gifted the Cardinals a TD.— Wayne Stell (@WayneStell) October 16, 2022
Michael Dickson has been a damn liability. He needs to hold onto that and eat the 2 pts. 2 weeks in a row!
— Jeff Mertl (@JJM805) October 16, 2022
Michael Dickson is having a terrible year and I'm getting sick of it.
— Lord Adorable (@DarthKripple) October 16, 2022
2 weeks in a row Michael Dickson gives up a terrible special teams turnover
— Djrainey.eth (@Rain3y_Days) October 16, 2022
Michael Dickson redeems himself as Seahawks win
Thankfully for Dickson, he was able to breathe a sigh of relief as Seattle responded with a touchdown on the ensuing drive.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith led the upfield surge and praised his teammates for the way they were able to immediately bounce back from the special teams mishap.
“When we needed it the most, our guys stepped up,” Smith said.
“We were able to get a 70 to 75 yard drive against a really tough defence and score points to give us the lead.”
For his part, Dickson went some way to redeeming himself the next time he set foot on the field, with a booming 64-yard punt that landed inside the Cardinals’ 15-yard line.
Despite the fumble, Dickson finished the game with a very solid stat line that included six punts for an average of 48.8 yards per punt.
The Seahawks held on for a 19-9 victory, improving their record to 3-3 and tying them for first place in the NFC West with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.
The Cardinals fell to 2-4 on the season and now sit in last place in the division.
Michael Dickson is really good once his foot hits the ball.
— Danny O'Neil (@dannyoneil) October 16, 2022
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