NFL All-Time Kicking Leaders

Football kickers don't always get the respect they deserve, but they often determine the outcome of football games. Here, we're going to give those kickers some much-deserved respect. Here is a list of the top ten all-time scoring leaders among kickers in NFL history.

Morten Anderson-The ageless wonder, Morten Andersen, has been kicking in the NFL since 1986 and he is currently with the Atlanta Falcons. Andersen has played for the Saints, Falcons, Giants, Chiefs, and Vikings, and is the NFL's all-time leader in total points with 2488. He also has kicked more field goals than anyone (552). Andersen's best season was 1995 with Atlanta, when he connected on a career high of 31 field goals on 37 attempts, and added 29 extra points for 122 total points.

Gary Anderson-Gary Anderson was another ageless wonder who played as recently as 2004 with Tennessee. Anderson began his career in 1986 and he kicked for the Steelers, Eagles, 49ers, Vikings and Titans. He ranks second all-time with 2434 points, including 538 field goals. Anderson's best season was in 1998 with Minnesota when he hit 35 field goals in 35 attempts for an astonishing 100%, adding 59 of 59 extra points for 164 total points. Not surprisingly, Anderson is the only kicker in NFL history to have a perfect season.

George Blanda-The great thing about the legendary George Blanda is that he was both a quarterback AND a kicker, and was an incredible player at both positions. As a kicker, Blanda ranks third in NFL history with 2002 points in a career that spanned from 1949 to 1975 with the Bears, Oilers and Raiders. The means he played in the NFL until he was almost 50 years old. Blanda made 335 field goals in all, and his best season as a kicker was 1968 with Oakland when he had 117 points (21 field goals and 54 extra points).

John Carney-On his way to ageless wonder status, John Carney began his NFL career in 1988 and has played for the Bucs, Chargers, Saints and Jaguars (his current team in 2007). Carney has made 420 field goals for 1779 total points, and his best season was 1994 with San Diego. That year, Carney helped lead his team to the Super Bowl with 34 field goals in 38 attempts and 33 extra points for 135 points in all.

Matt Stover-Matt Stover is currently tied with John Carney for fourth in total points with 1779, and he's played his entire career for the same franchise (Cleveland Browns/Baltimore Ravens) since entering the league in 1991. Stover has kicked 426 field goals in 508 attempts (83.9% accuracy) and his best season overall was 2000 with Baltimore (the year the Ravens won the Super Bowl). That year, Stover connected on 35 field goals in 39 attempts and tacked on 30 extra points for 135 total points.

Norm Johnson-Norm Johnson played for the Seahawks, Falcons, Steelers and Eagles in a career that spanned from 1982 to 1999. He ranks sixth all-time in the NFL with 1736 points, including 366 field goals. In 1995, Johnson helped the Steelers reach the Super Bowl by having his best season with 141 total points (34 field goals and 39 extra points).

Jason Elam-Jason Elam has played his entire career with the Denver Broncos (1993 to present) and ranks seventh in NFL history with 1712 points, including 378 field goals and 578 extra points. What's most incredible about Elam is that he has never had less than 103 points in a single season. His highest point total was 1995, with 132 (31 field goals and 39 extra points).

Nick Lowery-Nick Lowery played from 1978 to 1996 with the Patriots, Chiefs and Jets, and ranks ninth all-time with 1711 points. Lowery connected on 383 field goals and 562 extra points, and his long was a 58-yarder in 1985. In 1990 with Kansas City, Lowery had a career high with 34 field goals, adding 37 extra points for 139 total points.

Jan Stenerud-Jan Stenerud was one of the first players to be strictly a kicker on an NFL roster, beginning his career in 1967 and playing until 1985 with the Chiefs, Packers, and Vikings. He ranks ninth all-time with 1699 points, including 373 field goals and 580 extra points. Stenerud's best season was 1968, with 30 out of 40 field goals, and 39 extra points for a total of 129 points.

Eddie Murray-Eddie Murray played from 1980 to 2000 with the Lions, Bucs, Chiefs, Cowboys, Redskins, Eagles and Vikings. He ranks tenth all-time with 1594 points (352 field goals and 538 extra points). Murray's best season was 1993 with Dallas, when he connected on a career high of 28 field goals in 33 attempts and added 38 extra points for 122 points in all.