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New England Patriots K Stephen Gostkowski breaks out of funk with four FGs

By Mike Shalin, The Sports Xchange
New England Patriots PK Stephen Gostkowski (3). UPI/Matthew Healey
New England Patriots PK Stephen Gostkowski (3). UPI/Matthew Healey | License Photo

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- It was almost lost in the excitement of a day that saw the Patriots honor their 2001 championship team and when Tom Brady became the winningest quarterback in NFL history.

If you didn't notice, Stephen Gostkowski might have shaken his kicking slump.

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"It's a start, it's one game," Gostkowski said after kicking four field goals, three of them from 45 yards or more, in New England's 26-10 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

"Every week is a different challenge," said Gostkowski, who has had more challenges this season than ever before. "You just got to battle, keep your head down, stay humble and show up, but control your attitude and you effort and make sure both of those are good and have faith in the process that what you've been doing is going to continue."

Gostkowski, who missed three field goals all last season, has already missed four, along with three extra points, this season. He had gone 10 years without missing a point after (obviously, that task became harder last year when the extra point was moved back prior to the 2015 season).

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As far as his attitude making his way through this, Gostkowski said, "In athletics, I've gone through ups and downs my whole life. I've always had my confidence when it comes to athletics. It's sometimes stubborn to a fault. As long as I'm out there and getting a chance to play, I expect to do well.

"No one is harder on themselves than me when I do bad and I don't plan on changing anything soon."

His first kick Sunday was a chip shot, a 28-yarder that gave his team a 17-0 lead. But there were three more, from 48, 45 and 45 again.

"It was great to see those balls sail through the uprights," Brady said. "He's so clutch. He's a great player, so I don't think I have too many concerns about him and what he's capable of. He's been a great player for a long time."

Obviously, this team needs him if the Patriots, who are going to have to survive the rest of the season without tight end Rob Gronkowski, are going to make a run at a fifth Super Bowl title.

Teammate LeGarrette Blount was asked about the season starting after Thanksgiving and said, "Football does start after Thanksgiving here. We have to kick it into gear and we have to do all the things that we need to do and take the necessary steps to make sure that we continue to play good football."

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In some ways, that starts with the kicker.

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