Patriots need better production from K Gostkowski

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski was a bit torn when he spoke with the media following the Patriots' 21-13 win over the Chargers on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

The former All-Pro was clearly happy to get the win, to which he contributed impressive kickoffs and four field goals.

But, the veteran also clearly wasn't happy with the fact that he missed two other field goals, each from 43 yards.

Gostkowski has now hit 20 of 23 field goals on the season, trying to bounce back from a 2016 campaign in which he struggled to find consistency, missing field goals and PATs right up to the Super Bowl. He's certainly been better this fall, but not perfect.

"I get ticked off and mad just like anybody else. I don't look at it like a 'Debbie Downer,' it's just part of the game," Gostkowski said. "It stinks and I get mad. It's going to bother me for a week, probably two weeks, but that's just part of the game. If you can't deal with it, then you probably shouldn't be here. It stinks and it's tough to swallow, but we won and it's a little easier to wake up tomorrow knowing that when you do bad and the team can pick you up. That's part of being a part of a good team."

While head coach Bill Belichick has praised Gostkowski's work on kickoffs this year, putting them high and to the goal line to let his coverage units try to tackle opponents inside the 25 or even the 20, the coach made it clear that making field goals remains the top priority.

"Kicking the ball through the uprights is No. 1. Kickoffs is not to say a distant second, but it's definitely second to kicking it through the uprights for the kickers," Belichick said after breaking down the tape of the win over the Chargers. "But, both plays are important. Our kickoff coverage unit certainly has benefited from the excellent kickoffs that Stephen has given us all year, so not only the location, but the hang time. And, he's put a lot of pressure on those returners when they catch the ball right there on the goal line, 1-yard line, whether to bring it out or stay in."