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Sept 30, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers (2) kicks an extra point during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLIfe Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

They say practice makes perfect, so what is going on with David Akers?

He has been lights-out in practice, with Jim Harbaugh claiming that he “didn’t miss a kick all week.”

Unfortunately, the perfection during practice has translated to mediocrity on the football field.

After a disappointing regular season that saw him kick at a 69 percent clip, ranking 30th in the NFL, Akers’ struggles have continued in the postseason.

In the NFC Championship game at Atlanta, he clanked a 38-yard attempt off the left upright that would have tied the game in the fourth quarter. Keep in mind that this took place in a dome with no wind factors whatsoever.

Even Akers wonders what is happening:

“We kick well in practice and pregame,” he told USA Today. “So it’s one of these things, like, what do you do? There are a lot of times when you just scratch your head. Even coaches are like, ‘That looks good, form looks good, why’s it going this way?'”

On Sunday, Akers will be playing in the biggest game of his career. At age 38, he will be shooting for his first Super Bowl ring.

And when he lines up for that 43-yard field goal to win the game in overtime, the entire city of San Francisco will be holding their collective breaths.