In the realm of preseason NFL action, where games often proceed with limited fanfare and without the high-stakes drama of regular season or playoff matchups, a remarkable event recently captured the spotlight. Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey etched his name into the unofficial annals of NFL history with a jaw-dropping 66-yard field goal during the Cowboys' 27-12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
While preseason stats may not find their way into the NFL's official record books, Aubrey's extraordinary feat has set a new benchmark for performances in these warm-up games. His 66-yard kick not only drew the attention of fans and analysts alike but also tied the NFL's overall longest field goal record held by Justin Tucker. Tucker's record-setting kick occurred in 2021, sealing a dramatic 19-17 victory for the Baltimore Ravens against the Detroit Lions in a high-pressure situation.
Before Aubrey's stunning strike, the record for the longest field goal in a preseason game was held by Ola Kimrin, who booted a 65-yarder back in 2002 while he was part of the Denver Broncos' training camp. Kimrin's achievement set the benchmark for all preseason kickers until Aubrey's record-tying effort.
Kimrin's NFL career, however, was relatively short-lived. He played in just five regular-season games with Washington in 2004, achieving a 60% success rate on field goals, which included missing a kick from beyond 50 yards. At the time of Kimrin's 65-yard preseason kick, only four field goals in NFL history had surpassed the 60-yard mark.
Aubrey's Distinct Achievement
Aubrey’s journey to his record-tying kick offers an intriguing narrative. It underscores not just his raw talent but also his potential to alter the course of games. He has shared that he has successfully kicked from as far back as 70 yards in practice. NFL's Next Gen Stats indicated that his 66-yarder would have been good from 72 yards, affirming the legitimacy and impressive nature of his ability.
"Aubrey himself has confidently noted that he has successfully kicked from as far back as 70 yards in practice," adding to the aura of this kicker who might just be what the Dallas Cowboys need in close-game situations.
During the 20-year span between 2003 and 2023, the NFL witnessed a total of 29 successful field goals from 60 yards or more in regular-season play. Aubrey and Tucker stand out as the only two kickers to notch field goals longer than Kimrin's 65-yarder, transcending the boundary of preseason and regular-season distinctions.
Implications and Future Prospects
As the preseason winds down and the NFL regular season approaches, the Dallas Cowboys may have discovered in Aubrey a kicker capable of delivering game-changing moments. His record-tying performance not only provides a morale boost for the team but also sets the stage for potential future heroics in more critical game situations.
Aubrey’s success raises questions about the evolving capabilities of NFL kickers and whether longer field goals will become more commonplace in the league. It also injects a sense of excitement and anticipation among fans, who always cherish witnessing extraordinary feats on the field.
In a sports landscape that often sees preseason events treated as mere appetizers before the main course, Brandon Aubrey's 66-yard field goal stands out as a colossal achievement, reminding everyone of the unpredictable and thrilling nature of football, regardless of the season.