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Packers’ holder says ball did not graze his hand on missed field goal

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, left, talks to Green Bay Packers’ Mason Crosby (2) and Tim Masthay (8) before the NFL football NFC Championship game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

AP

Packers punter and holder Tim Masthay is pushing back against the theory that he inadvertently blocked Mason Crosby’s missed field goal on the final play of Sunday’s loss to the Lions.

Masthay said Monday that he’s certain the ball didn’t graze his finger after Crosby kicked it. Masthay says he zoomed in on the film of the play today to be sure.

So why did Crosby miss the kick so badly? Masthay says there was a small depression in the turf, and he thinks Crosby’s toe grazed the elevated portion of grass, just enough to knock his foot off target and result in a bad kick.

The kick would have given the Packers a 19-18 win, but instead they lost 18-16. Perhaps they need the grounds crew to do a better job maintaining the grass at Lambeau Field, so that next time Crosby is lining up for a game-winning field goal, he’ll have sure footing.