Bills K Dan Carpenter to keep job despite recent struggles

Dec 22, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills kicker Dan Carpenter (2) kicks a field goal as punter Brian Moorman (8) holds during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Dolphins 19-0. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

In the past four games, Buffalo Bills kicker Dan Carpenter has missed five kicks -- three extra points and two field goals. His missed extra point against the Houston Texans could have easily cost the Bills the game as it kept their lead at six instead of seven, but they were fortunate to grab a nine-point lead later in the game.

There's no doubt that Carpenter has struggled greatly over the past month, but he isn't going to lose his job.

"We're not getting rid of Dan Carpenter," Rex Ryan said via the Buffalo News on Monday. "Moving that thing back, there's a lot of people who miss kicks. Look, we've got a veteran kicker. You guys know he can kick in the conditions, and not everybody can do that."

Moving the extra point distance back has certainly made a difference in a huge way, but that's no excuse for Carpenter. Only one kicker has missed more extra point attempts than he has and he boasts the third-worst make percentage in the league.

Obviously, Ryan would prefer if Carpenter didn't miss extra points as frequently as he has, but he still has confidence in his kicker.

"You can't kick it better than he kicked it," Ryan said of Carpenter's missed 50-yard field goal Sunday. "The extra point, obviously, we wish we had back."