DENVER -- With Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater participating in the Super Bowl, New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski has been tabbed as his replacement for the Pro Bowl.
Gostkowski, who just concluded his eighth season, finished first in the NFL with 158 total points, which was a single-season career-high and a Patriots team record. He was 38-of-41 on field goal attempts.
Since joining the Patriots as a fourth-round draft choice in 2006, he has connected on 85.6 percent of his regular-season field goal attempts.
One of his highlights in 2013 was a successful onside kick to help cap a dramatic comeback over the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 8. His strong leg was also a factor with kickoffs, as his 65 touchbacks ranked second in the NFL.