Jake Elliott was truly special in the month of November. On Thursday, the NFL named the Eagles' kicker the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month.
In four November games, Elliott connected on all 19 of his kicks – eight field goals and 11 extra points. Two of those eight field goals were from 50+ yards. He scored 12+ points in consecutive games, including a career-high 16 points thanks to four field goals in the Week 11 win over the Saints.
"I'm just trying to strike the ball clean week in and week out, and trying to perfect the craft. I'm trying to have good foot to ball, good rotation, all of the nerdy stuff about kickers," Elliott said following the win over the Saints. "Obviously things are clicking. (Long snapper) Rick (Lovato) is doing a great job, (punter/holder) Arryn (Siposs) is doing a great job, and I'm just really comfortable. It's fun every day going out with (Special Teams Coordinator Michael) Clay, going out with (Special Teams Quality Control Coach) Tyler (Brown) and the guys, and we really enjoy what we're doing."
Elliott was honored as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the Saints performance. This is Elliott's first Special Teams Player of the Month award. He is the first Eagle to capture the award since kicker David Akers in November 2010. Akers joined the Eagles Insider Podcast this week to discuss Elliott's outstanding season.
For Special Teams Coordinator Michael Clay, this is the third time that his unit has been cited this season. In addition to Elliott's two accolades, linebacker T.J. Edwards was the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a punt in the win at Carolina.
"They're a well-oiled machine between Jake, Arryn (Siposs, punter/holder), and, really, it all starts with Rick (Lovato, long snapper)," Clay said. "Rick serves a great, short snap and makes it easy for Arryn to hold and takes the mind off Jake of where the laces are and everything like that. So, in terms of mechanically, they do it for so long, I don't need to tell them anything. I just try to keep them loose and in a great mental space. It's all kudos to them. They're the ones going out there and putting in the hard work. I'm just there as the caddie, 'Hey, maybe you want to do this on this situation,' and let them go out and play."
On the season, Elliott is fourth in the NFC with 84 points. He's made all 30 extra point attempts this year along with 11 consecutive field goals. He's been true on all three of his field goal attempts from 50+ yards.
Elliott is Pro Football Focus' top-graded kicker in the NFC.
