AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham (right) is hugged by Drew Butler (left) after making the winning field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Dec. 2 in Baltimore. Baltimore. Ravens cornerback Asa Jackson looks past following the play.
PITTSBURGH – With just four weeks left in the 2012 NFL season, Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham leads the league in field goal percentage, having missed just once this season.
The Greenville resident has made 24 of his 25 field goal attempts this season for a league-best 96 percent conversion rate, having last missed Oct. 11 at Tennessee when his 54-yard attempt fell short. He also has made all 24 of his extra point attempts.
In addition to his accuracy, Suisham also has excelled in the clutch this season, having made three game-winning field goals in the Steelers’ seven wins. His latest game winner came last week as he hit a 42-yard field goal to beat the Baltimore Ravens. He also made game-winning field goals against the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 7 and against the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 12.
In addition to being the league’s most accurate kicker this season, Suisham is having the best year of his eight-year NFL career. His 96 percent success rate on field goals thus far in 2012 is a career best, topping the 93.3 percent success rate he had during his debut with the Steelers in 2010.
Suisham has scored 96 points this season, which already makes for his fourth-best pro season. He is on pace to score 128 points this year, which would top his previous best of 116 that he had in 2007 with the Redskins.
Suisham also made a 52-yard field goal against the Titans, matching a career high he set in 2006 when he played for the Washington Redskins.
Entering week 14 of the NFL season, the Steelers are tied for second in the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals and Steelers trail the Ravens by two games in the division and also are tied for sixth place in the conference. Both teams are battling with the Indianapolis Colts, who are 8-4, for the AFC’s two wild card spots in the playoffs.
The Steelers begin the final stretch of the regular season today as they play host to the San Diego Chargers at 1 p.m. They then travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys next week before finishing the season with home games against the Bengals and Cleveland Browns.