The Indianapolis Colts came into Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens needing some players to step up with starting quarterback Anthony Richardson missing the game with a concussion. And they got a big boost from their kicker Matt Gay, who came through with an historic performance and made the biggest play of the game when it mattered most.
Gay received the largest contract ever given out by a team for a kicker this past offseason, signing a four-year, $22 million deal to play in Indianapolis. And he has certainly been worth every penny for the Colts, coming into Week 3 with a perfect kicking percentage on both field goals and extra points.
He continued this against the Ravens, making all five of his field goal attempts along with the lone extra point attempt that he had.
Four of the five kicks he attempted in the game were from over 50 yards, including a 53-yard attempt in overtime that secured an upset win for the Colts.
The Colts win it in OT on a 53-yard field goal from Matt Gay. Gay also set an NFL record as the only kicker to ever make four 50-yard field goals in one game🔥. pic.twitter.com/A5OUSBptOt
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 24, 2023
Gay also became the only NFL kicker to ever convert four field goals over 50 yards in one game. And Colts fans seemingly could not be more appreciative of him after his terrific day.
Matt Gay = what a game.
He becomes the first kicker in NFL history to make four from 50 yards or more in the same game.
And without Anthony Richardson or Ryan Kelly, the Colts get an overtime win over Lamar and the Ravens in Baltimore.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) September 24, 2023
Matt Gay for the Colts today:
31-yard FG
54-yard FG
53-yard FG
53-yard FG
53-yard FG (Game winner in OT)First kicker to make four 50-yard field goals in one game in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/UOVKUI8GAS
— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 24, 2023
MATT GAY FTW #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/CRG4k5rTak
— Colts Coverage (@Colts_Coverage) September 24, 2023
Kickers with 4 or more 50+ YD FG in a game
1. Matt Gay
that’s it pic.twitter.com/xMc0fAi9lJ
— PacersMuse (@PacersStatsMuse) September 24, 2023
MATT GAY with the Greatest Kicking Performance of all time????
54,53,53, and 53 Game Winner.
Worth every Penny.#ForTheBrand
— Talkin’ Colts (@TalkinnColts) September 24, 2023
Second-string quarterback Gardner Minshew played adequately in his start due to Richardson’s injury, despite a brutal mistake where he ran out of the back of the end zone that nearly cost the Colts the game. And he should be praised for keeping the Colts offense competitive without Richardson.
But considering Gay provided the Colts with 16 of their 23 points in this game with extra points and field goals, it’s pretty safe to say that Indianapolis would not have won this game if it wasn’t for Gay’s unbelievable performance.
