Teams don't kneel to punt the ball away. They kneel to ice the game.
Would your rather move the sticks and end the game or trot out your special teams and risk a punt block, a punt shank, or a punt return? Plus all it takes is one pass play to midfield to set up a hail mary situation. Yes, those are all low % risks but so was the very decision that you're maligning right now.
It's basically a case of pick your low % risk and live with the results.