Whether it's an extra point, or a game winning 50-yard field goal, a good kicker can be the difference between a glorious victory and devastating heartbreak, just ask the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens.
Bleacher Report continues their quest to name the top 1,000 players in the NFL, and their most recent installment focuses on the placekickers.
The Oakland Raiders' Sebastian Janikowski was named the top kicker on the list. Janikowski has one of the strongest legs in the NFL and has been one of the most reliable kickers in the past 10 years.
The Patriots know a thing or two about good kickers and it shows with Stephen Gostkowski coming in at No. 6 on the list. Considered an elite kicker, Gostkowski ranked high in each of the categories, posting a perfect 10 in hang time.
San Fransisco's David Akers ranked second, with Jacksonville's Josh Scobee, Chicago's Robbie Gould and Miami's Dan Carpenter rounding out the top five. Other notable names include the Patriots old friend Adam Vinatieri coming in at No. 15 and the now infamous Billy Cundiff landing at No. 24
The next installment of Bleacher Report's Top 1,000 comes out on March 23 and will cover strong safeties.
More NFL 1,000 Rankings: Quarterbacks I Fullbacks I Left Tackles I Right Tackles I Centers I Right Guards I Tight Ends I Left Guards I Punters
