Chances are if you’re a bettor, you’re putting your money on NFL kickers right now.

Per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, kickers have made 90% of attempts from 50 yards or more. She asked around the league and most people say when it comes to kicking outdoors, it’s because weather conditions have been good, playing surfaces are best during this time of year. Fair enough. But she reports one coach told her increased specialization in kicking this day in age is also a factor.

“There are more specialist coaches. There is more exposure to kicking as a specialized skill. Guys are actually growing up aspiring to be kickers, compared to how it used to be when guys kicked and played another position,” she quotes the coach.

Russini also reports another head coach says since the rule changes in recent years, blocking kicks has become increasingly difficult.

“You can’t cover the center, you can’t jump and land over the line of scrimmage, and you can’t push interior lineman … blocking kicks is almost a non-factor,” she says the coach told her.

Although his longest field goal attempt was 35 yards, Lions kicker Jake Bates is at a 100% success rate right now — making all five field goals and three of three extra points.

Check out The Athletic’s full article on the matter here.

Oh? Interesting. I’d never root for someone to perform poorly (well, I wouldn’t put it in writing) but the field goal against the Lions where he secured the league record for longest kick still lives rent free in my head.

One more thing for you—CBS Sports’ John Breech dives a bit further into the subject in the article below:

And onto the rest of your notes.

• The Lions are hosting a watch party for the game against the Dallas Cowboys on October 13. It’s open to all fans:

• Check out the newest episode of “Milk and Cookies” with Kerby Joseph and Terrion Arnold:

• An interesting trend has developed in the NFL through the past two weeks. Just a little something to keep your eye on: