Bills punter Sam Martin made the most pathetic tackle attempt on the Jets’ walk-off TD

It’ll be forgotten in the shuffle of the devastating Aaron Rodgers injury, but the Buffalo Bills seemingly did everything possible to lose their Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets. On offense, Josh Allen had four turnovers (three picks and one fumble). It’s fair to wonder what’s wrong with the Bills’ superstar signal caller.

And on special teams — with electric returner Xavier Gipson threatening to end the game on an overtime punt — Buffalo punter Sam Martin made one of the worst tackle attempts you’ll ever see in an NFL game. Seriously, at the very least, Martin could’ve gotten in Gipson’s way and impeded his progress.

Instead, he threw a weird armbar that Gipson easily avoided en route to a shocking walk-of winner.

Tackle Attempt by Sam Martin, 2023 pic.twitter.com/MP3eJSaIRe

— the grand archives (@tga_08) September 12, 2023

I’ve seen many terrible football plays by punters over the years. There’s a reason they just get paid to kick. But here, Martin was the last line of defense. It is inexcusable he didn’t do more with the game on the line.

This lack of effort might take the cake as the worst punter play of them all.

This was how Twitter reacted to Martin's awful tackle attempt for the Bills

Brutal by Sam Martin here.
1st the punt is a right punt, from the right hash, all the coverage team is running that way and he pulls it short and left- that throws off the coverage big time, then a terrible effort to make the tackle at the end of the return https://t.co/Y1zJknEcR0

— Jay Feely (@jayfeely) September 12, 2023

Sam Martin just jumped out of the way with the game on the line😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/FzAsGWI1Lr https://t.co/oFK4Y8RdOT

— 𝙆𝙪𝙩𝙩𝙖𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖 (@dreamzz_kidd) September 12, 2023

Sam Martin will now be a gif used worldwide… and not for a good reason https://t.co/lRtGk778oG

— Cody (@Cns920) September 12, 2023

Sam Martin with that great block 😂 pic.twitter.com/UolQWjioUs

— Dan Johnson (@DanDanoDeege) September 12, 2023

Sam Martin sets back the "kickers are real players" argument 100 years pic.twitter.com/2GAnM8pjRu

— Dustin Schott (@DustinSchottNYU) September 12, 2023

Bro this type of effort is insanely unacceptable Sam Martin.. we gotta call out stuff like this😂 #billsmafia pic.twitter.com/5uIEDo2dla

— Mas (@masonbiznes) September 12, 2023

At first watch that looked more on Sam Martin. Seemed like they were setting up a punt coverage one direction and he kicked it the wrong way.

I haven't had the heart to go back and watch it though https://t.co/IDkVbPmS5N

— Bills Chat Podcast (@BillsChatPod) September 12, 2023

Find someone who’ll treat you as well as Sam Martin treats Xavier Gipson. #MNF#BillsVsJets pic.twitter.com/pb1YIhOuiS

— Jason Taylor (@JTSooner24) September 12, 2023

Excellent display of fundamental tackling technique on the Jets game-winning punt return touchdown by Bills punter Sam Martin pic.twitter.com/zvkgisJSLX

— JWH (@Funconomist) September 12, 2023