FOXBOROUGH – Patriots kicker Andy Borregales has never kicked in a high-elevation stadium and is excited to see how far the ball will travel in Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos.
The Patriots rookie’s longest field goal this season was 59 yards. He said he plans on testing out his range on Sunday during the pregame warmup inside Mile High Stadium. Borregales believes the high altitude will give him a legitimate chance to kick field goals past 60 yards.
His plan on Sunday is to try from 70.
“That’s my whole routine before a game – to see what my range is that day,” Borregales said. “I know it’ll probably be cold out there. It might offset. Not sure. I haven’t kicked up there yet. I’m guessing maybe like 5-8 yards (added). Definitely going to try from 70 to see if it goes in with the cold and everything.”
Borregales said the farthest kick he’s ever made in a practice setting was 70 yards while playing in Miami during college. This season, the rookie has brought consistency back to the Patriots’ kicking situation.
The 23-year-old made 84.4% of his field goal attempts this season. That was a step in the right direction for the Patriots after Joey Slye (78.8%) and Chad Ryland (64%) struggled with consistency in the previous two seasons.
Borregales ended the regular season with a season-long 59-yard field goal against the Miami Dolphins. He’s made all field goals (3-of-3) and extra points (5-of-5) in two playoff games.
Now, he’ll have a chance to kick in the AFC Championship game with high altitude.
“Super exciting,” Borregales said. “But at the end of the day, I’m trying to do my job. We’re all going in there having fun and trying to get a W.”
