Nick Novak, The Franchise Kicker.

They are underrrated, under-appreciated, and maybe the least glamorous of all NFL positions. Each week, they do their only job asked of them: kick the football through the uprights. But their ability to kick the football through the goal post can determine the outcome of a regular season, playoff, or even championship game; if they make it, their team wins and they're heroes while if they miss, they're the reason for the loss. Either way, this is the life of an NFL kicker. For Nick Novak, the San Diego Charger kicker, his NFL career has largely been successful and is on track to break several team record.

Nick Novak Kicking Via The Coast News

Although a team's kicker may not be as exciting as the quarterback, running back, or linebacker, the positions is just as important. Kickers are responsible for adding an extra point after a touchdown or adding three points if the offense falls short of the end zone and decides to kick a field goal. Kickers are also called upon to win games. For example, in Superbowl XXXVII, Adam Vinatieri hit a game-winning field goal against the Carolina Panthers as time expired to win the championship for his New England Patriot team. Despite all that kickers do for NFL teams, there are only three kickers in the Hall of Fame. Two of those three kickers played another position in addition to being the team's kicker.

In late September of this year, Novak became the Charger's all-time leader in field goal percentage during the win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Novak made four field goals and converted three extra points, scoring a total of 15 points for the team. His career kicking percentage is 82.4% (field goals) and 90.3% (extra points) during the four years he has been with the Chargers. Watch Nick Novak's post game interview becoming the franchise's most accurate kicker here on Chargers.com.

Nick Novak after one of his four field goals vs the Jaguars Via Espn

Nick Novak after one of his four field goals vs the Jaguars Via ESPN
Novak is not satisfied with just being the Charger's most accurate kicker. Last season, he was just two field goals short of matching the franchise's record of 23  consecutive field goals made in a season. This year, he is off to a hot start, successfully going 10 for 10 in field goal. If he can make, 14 more field goals, he will have set yet another franchise record. In an interview with ESPN, he said that,"I am blessed to do what I love in San Diego". But, we are just as blessed to have him play in San Diego. Having a kicker like Novak will definitely be key attribute for the Charger's success during the playoffs. Who knows, maybe he'll help bring a Super Bowl trophy to San Diego. Until he does, he'll just continue kicking and making field goals and extra points for the Chargers, continuing the ongoing saga of an NFL kicker...

Nick Novak vs Broncos via Zimbo