Andres Borregales just took part in his third career regular season NFL game. The Patriots’ kicker did not impress during his first two outings, but for now his job appears to be safe. 
The sixth-round rookie missed one of his three field goal attempts in Week 1. Borregales connected on both of his field goal tries the following game, but he also missed a pair of extra point kicks. Those inconsistencies prompted questions about a change taking place or at least competition being added.
“I don’t think we’re ready to have that conversation yet,” head coach Mike Vrabel said after Week 2 when asked about the subject (h/t Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald). Such a sentiment is understandable given Borregales’ status as a rookie and the fact he was brought in by the Patriots’ current regime. On the other hand, of course, teams have been known to move on from kickers in short order if they fail to live up to expectations.
Over the course of his four-year career at Miami, Borregales proved to be a highly effective and consistent kicker. The 23-year-old Venezuelan converted 74 of his 86 field goal attempts (good for a success rate of 86%) and only missed one extra point try. It thus came as little surprise when he was among the kickers who were selected in April’s draft.
Borregales’ play moving forward will be worth watching over the coming weeks following the (relative) vote of confidence he received. During Sunday’s loss to the Steelers, he connected on both of his extra point kicks while not attempting any field goals. As the Patriots look to bounce back in Week 4, they will presumably do so with Borregales still in place.
Placekicking wasn’t the Patriots’ problem vs. Pittsburgh. Four lost fumbles and an end-zone INT killed New England drives. And the Pats’ next opponent just pitched a shutout.