Brandon Aubrey's 66-Yard Field Goal Shines in NFL Preseason
In the often-overlooked arena of preseason NFL games, moments of extraordinary athletic achievement can sometimes be found, fleeting sparks that hint at the high-stakes drama of the regular season. Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey delivered such a moment, smashing a 66-yard field goal in a 27-12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. This remarkable feat didn't just turn heads; it set a new benchmark for preseason performance and tied one of the most celebrated records in NFL history.
For context, preseason stats do not find their way into the NFL's official record book. Despite this, Aubrey’s 66-yard kick has become a topic of significant interest. It matches the overall NFL record for the longest field goal, a record set by Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker in 2021. Tucker's kick came in a high-pressure situation, sealing a 19-17 victory for the Ravens over the Detroit Lions. This key detail underscores how rare and impressive it is to see a kick of such distance successfully executed.
The significance of Aubrey's achievement is highlighted not just by its length but by its historical context. Before Aubrey's accomplishment, Ola Kimrin’s 65-yard field goal in 2002 held the preseason record. Kimrin set this record while part of the Denver Broncos' training camp. His professional career, however, was comparatively brief, featuring just five regular-season games with Washington in 2004, during which he maintained a 60% success rate on field goals.
In recent years, the NFL has seen an uptick in the frequency and success of long field goals. Between 2003 and 2023, a total of 29 field goals of 60 yards or more were made during the regular season. Nevertheless, hitting anything beyond 65 yards remains a rarity. Tucker and now Aubrey are the only two to have kicked field goals longer than Kimrin's benchmark when considering both preseason and regular-season games.
According to NFL's Next Gen Stats, Aubrey’s 66-yard field goal would have been good from as far back as 72 yards. The kicker himself has expressed confidence stemming from rigorous practice sessions. "Aubrey himself has confidently noted that he has successfully kicked from as far back as 70 yards in practice," reads a direct quote from the man of the hour. This kind of practice rigor and self-belief is what propels athletes into the spotlight, even in the lesser-watched games leading up to the regular season.
With the regular season fast approaching, the Dallas Cowboys may have discovered a kicker capable of delivering game-changing moments when they matter most. Aubrey's performance not only has Cowboys fans talking but has the entire league taking note. Should he translate this success into the regular season, his 66-yard preseason field goal may be viewed as merely the first of many notable accomplishments.
In a sport where precision and pressure define careers, Brandon Aubrey’s 66-yard kick exemplifies both. While preseason games may lack the urgency of regular-season clashes, moments like these remind us of the raw talent and potential within every athlete. The regular season now serves as the stage for Aubrey to replicate his preseason heroics when it counts most and possibly even exceed the expectations his early performance has set.