Brandon Aubrey Shines in Preseason with Record-Tying Field Goal
As the preseason winds down, it seldom delivers the high-octane drama fans crave. Nevertheless, a recent clash between the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders offered a thrilling exception. The spotlight was firmly on Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, who etched his name into the annals of football history with a monumental 66-yard field goal during the Cowboys' commanding 27-12 victory over the Raiders.
Aubrey's jaw-dropping feat not only set a new standard for preseason performances but also tied the NFL's overall record set by none other than Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker in 2021. Tucker’s record-setting kick, achieved during a nail-biting 19-17 win over the Detroit Lions, was under significantly higher pressure, securing the victory in a clutch moment. In contrast, while Aubrey’s achievement came in the comparatively low-stakes environment of a preseason game, this does nothing to diminish its significance.
Preseason performances are often overlooked, primarily because their statistics do not make it into the NFL's official record book. Yet, Aubrey’s 66-yard marvel deserves every bit of attention it has garnered. NFL’s Next Gen Stats even indicated that Aubrey’s kick would have been good from an astonishing 72 yards. Adding to his incredible feat, Aubrey remarked confidently, "I have successfully kicked from as far back as 70 yards in practice."
Before Aubrey’s record-equalling kick, the benchmark for the longest field goal in a preseason game was set at 65 yards by Ola Kimrin in 2002. Kimrin, then with the Denver Broncos' training camp, established what seemed an unassailable record until now. Despite this, Kimrin’s transition to regular-season play was less remarkable, managing only a 60% success rate on field goals, with just five regular-season games to his name while playing for Washington in 2004. Among his missed attempts was one from beyond 50 yards, underscoring the difficulties faced even by the most promising kickers.
As of the 2023 season, the NFL has witnessed a total of 29 successful field goals from 60 yards or more between 2003 and 2023 during regular-season play. This statistic highlights the rarity and sheer difficulty of such long-range kicks. Interestingly, before Kimrin’s 65-yarder, only four field goals in NFL history had surpassed the 60-yard mark. Aubrey's recent accomplishment places him among the few elite kickers who have managed to push beyond Kimrin’s previous preseason pinnacle, joining Justin Tucker in this exclusive club.
For the Dallas Cowboys, Aubrey’s accomplishment is not merely a statistical marvel but a potential game-changer. The preseason is valuable not just for finalizing rosters but also for uncovering players capable of delivering in crucial moments. Aubrey's performance suggests that the Cowboys may have found a kicker poised to redefine the team’s special teams’ dynamics.
Overall, while preseason games are often seen as mere formalities leading up to the regular season, they occasionally serve as the platform for extraordinary performances that capture the imagination. Aubrey’s 66-yard field goal will undoubtedly be remembered as one of those rare moments, setting a new standard for what can be achieved in the preseason. As the regular season approaches, all eyes will be on Aubrey to see if he can replicate or even surpass his preseason heroics when the stakes are higher and the pressure more intense.