As BuffaloBills.com staffer Chris Brown noted this week, Dan Carpenter's arrival five days before Buffalo’s season opener rescued a team with an uncertain kicking future. Dustin Hopkins, the rookie who supplanted Rian Lindell as the team’s kicker, sustained a groin injury on Sept. 2. The team’s first game was Sept. 8 against New England.

He missed his first kick, but since that, he’s made all but one other attempt.

To this point Carpenter is having one of his most productive seasons. He’s made 22 of 24 attempts for a 91.7 percent accuracy. He is poised to tie Rian Lindell’s most accurate season — in which Lindell made 23 of 25 field goals — if he makes his next field goal. Carpenter has made all of his extra points thus far.

“It was a great acquisition,” head coach Doug Marrone said. “I give credit to our pro scouting department for that; I think he’s been outstanding.”

Within 12 points of the fifth 100-point season in his career, Carpenter said his transition was even easier due to Buffalo’s roster.

“Obviously it’s nice to have a good snapper, a good holder, with the kicker and punter position, it’s easier to go into a new place,” Carpenter said. “You don’t have to learn a scheme to kick a football.”

What Carpenter did have to learn, though, was Buffalo weather. In week 11, Carpenter scored seven different times through high speed gusts against the Jets — three of which were field goals — and he didn’t miss once.

Carpenter said he’s as focused as ever, but doesn’t think about the potential of having a record breaking season.

“We have a lot of football left to play,” Carpenter said. “There’s nothing really to be happy about yet. I’m glad I can contribute and help this team win in any way that I can.”