The New York Giants have an unsung hero on special teams. Graham Gano has been one of the best kickers in the NFL this season, converting numerous clutch field goals as the Giants sit firmly in the race for a wild card spot. In the Giants’ most recent win over the Washington Commanders, Graham “Golden Boot” Gano sealed the victory as the kicker extended the lead to 8 points on a 50-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. As the Giants fight for their first playoff berth since 2016, a few standout players have had their names brought up in All-Pro conversations. Graham Gano is having an excellent 2022 season and could be playing his way onto one of those two All-Pro teams.
Graham Gano playing his way into an All-Pro selection
Being selected as an All-Pro is one of the NFL’s most prestigious honors. The accolade is only given to the league’s top performers each season. Two kickers are selected for the All-Pro teams each year. This year, Graham Gano could be one of the two selected.
Graham Gano has been the definition of clutch this season. Gano’s big leg has powered home 7 field goals from 50+ yards this season, tying the franchise record and career-high he set last year. On the year, Gano has made 24 field goals on 27 attempts (88.9%). In Week 2, the Giants kicker was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week following a dominant performance against his former team, the Carolina Panthers. Gano made 4 field goals on 4 attempts against Carolina, including two field goals of 50+ yards. Graham Gano scored 13 of the Giants’ 19 points in the 19-16 win over the Panthers.
This was the first of two performances this season in which Gano connected more than once from over 50 yards out. In Week 15, the Giants relied on Graham Gano to net a 50-yard in the fourth quarter, giving them an 8-point lead and securing the critical win over the Commanders. This was the second deep bomb dropped by Gano as he hit another 50-yard field goal attempt earlier in the game.
The only blemish on Graham Gano’s 2022 season is his “flu game.” In Week 13, Gano played through an illness that clearly had an effect on his performance. The matchup ended in a 20-20 tie with the Commanders after a last-second field goal attempt by Graham Gano fell short. Gano was unable to connect from 58 yards out despite his career-long being a ridiculous 63-yards (2018). It’s hard to imagine a fully-healthy Graham Gano coming up short on the attempt the way he did while playing through an illness in Week 13.
Graham Gano has been near-perfect all season long. The 35-year-old kicker has missed only 3 field goals on 27 attempts and 2 extra points on 27 attempts. An All-Pro selection in 2022 would not be Gano’s first accolade of his career. He was selected to a Pro Bowl team in 2017. An All-Pro selection, though, would be the highest honor Gano has received in his 13-year NFL career. The accolade would be well-deserved as Gano has been nothing short of excellent during his tenure with the Giants.
Graham Gano has recorded 19 field goals from 50+ yards in three seasons with the Giants, 10 more than anyone else in franchise history. Many of the Giants’ wins this season have been tight, one-possession games that could not have been won without the excellent performances from their kicker. Graham Gano has been one of the best kickers in the NFL this season, in addition to being one of the New York Giants’ most valuable players. The Associated Press needs to give careful consideration to Graham Gano as they craft the 2022 NFL All-Pro Teams.