Preseason NFL games seldom capture the electric atmosphere of the regular season, often overlooked due to their lack of high-stakes drama. However, a recent moment of brilliance during a Dallas Cowboys game has flipped that script. Brandon Aubrey, the Cowboys' kicker, delivered an extraordinary 66-yard field goal, cementing his place in the annals of preseason history.
A Kick for the Ages
The Dallas Cowboys secured a 27-12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, but it was Aubrey's spectacular kick that stole the spotlight. The 66-yard field goal not only sealed the game but also set a new standard for preseason accomplishments. Though preseason stats don't contribute to the NFL's official record book, Aubrey's achievement echoed across the league, drawing comparisons to some of the most memorable moments in NFL kicking history.
Aubrey's kick tied the overall NFL record set by Justin Tucker, who famously nailed a 66-yarder in a high-pressure situation during a regular-season game in 2021. Tucker's kick clinched a dramatic 19-17 win for the Baltimore Ravens over the Detroit Lions, adding to the lore surrounding long-distance field goals.
Breaking Barriers
Before Aubrey's phenomenal performance, the longest field goal in preseason history stood at 65 yards, accomplished by Ola Kimrin in 2002. Kimrin, then part of the Denver Broncos' training camp, set a benchmark with that kick, although his NFL career was short-lived. He played only five regular-season games for Washington in 2004, ending his career with a modest 60% success rate on field goals. Despite his fleeting presence in the NFL, Kimrin's 65-yarder remained unchallenged in the preseason until Aubrey's recent heroics.
Aubrey has proven himself capable of extraordinary feats. According to the NFL's Next Gen Stats, his 66-yarder would have been good from a staggering 72 yards. Aubrey himself has confidently noted that he has successfully kicked from as far back as 70 yards in practice, further highlighting his potential as a game-changing kicker.
A New Era of Kicking
Kicks surpassing 60 yards were once a rarity in the NFL. Before Kimrin's 65-yard preseason record, only four field goals in NFL history had crossed the 60-yard threshold. Fast forward from 2003 to 2023, and the league has witnessed 29 successful field goals from 60 yards or more in regular-season play, underscoring the evolving dynamics of kicking in the NFL.
What makes Aubrey's achievement even more remarkable is its timing and potential implications for the Cowboys. As the preseason winds down and the regular season looms, Dallas may have found in Aubrey a kicker capable of shifting the momentum in critical moments. His ability to deliver under pressure could prove invaluable as the Cowboys vie for a successful season.
For now, football enthusiasts and analysts alike will savor Aubrey's extraordinary 66-yarder, a kick that not only tied an NFL record but also redefined what's achievable in the preseason. With such prowess, Brandon Aubrey has placed himself firmly in the discussion of elite kickers capable of transforming the course of a game. The Cowboys and their fans have every reason to be optimistic as the regular season approaches, with a kicker who has already demonstrated his ability to deliver when it matters most.